No more be grieved at that which thou hast done

Song Meaning

The speaker urges their beloved to stop feeling guilt over past actions, framing it as a natural part of existence. They point out that even the most beautiful things have flaws – roses have thorns, fountains can be muddy, and the sun and moon are subject to eclipses. This establishes a tone of gentle, almost resigned acceptance of imperfection, suggesting that fault is universal and unavoidable. The core tension arises from the speaker's own internal conflict. While they want to absolve their beloved, they admit to actively excusing and even amplifying the perceived transgression. The narrator confesses to "salving thy amiss" and making "a lawful plea" against themselves, revealing a complex dynamic where their love compels them to defend the beloved, even at their own expense. This creates a "civil war" within the speaker's own heart. The most striking craft element is the speaker's self-incrimination. They acknowledge their own complicity, stating "Myself corrupting, salving thy amiss." This isn't just about accepting imperfection; it's about actively participating in the justification of the beloved's "trespass." The narrator becomes an "accessary" to the very thing that "sourly robs" them, highlighting a profound, almost masochistic devotion. This piece hits hard because it articulates a painful, yet relatable, aspect of deep affection: the willingness to bend one's own principles and even self-harm to protect or excuse someone you love. The sophisticated use of natural imagery to normalize fault, contrasted with the raw confession of personal compromise, creates a powerful emotional resonance.