“Though I myself be bridled of my mind”

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a speaker struggling with internal limitations, described as being "bridled of my mind." This mental constraint forces a "backward" movement, yet the speaker implores their "heart" to seek honor and keep a promise. The core tension lies in this internal struggle versus an external commitment or desire, questioning who can truly hold the heart back if it doesn't choose to remain bound. The narrator appears to be experiencing a conflict between their own mental state and a desire to act or fulfill a commitment, possibly related to a beloved. Despite personal "frowardness of fortune" and being held back, the speaker asserts that their "virtue" cannot be truly hindered. There's a plea for the heart to "unbind" itself, suggesting that true freedom comes from within, even when external circumstances or internal compulsions are restrictive. A striking element is the contrast between the speaker's perceived lack of agency ("bridled of my mind," "holdeth") and the assertion that the heart's freedom is ultimately self-determined ("but thou thyself unbind?"). The lyrics suggest that even if external forces or personal mental states are restrictive, the capacity to act virtuously or to seek honor remains, implying a choice in how one responds to these limitations. This piece is effective because it articulates a profound internal conflict with stark, almost archaic language. The plea to the "heart" to "unbind" itself resonates with the feeling of being trapped by one's own thoughts or circumstances, yet it offers a glimmer of hope that true agency lies in a conscious decision to overcome these barriers, even when "other be present."