swgnmar4

potential themes

Loss - of ideal, dignity, enlightenment, love
Love - romance, of passion, of life, of youth
Passing of time - ageing

"So we'll go no more a roving"

an assertion to himself, a declarative statement. he will no longer go wandering aimlessly. "So" conversational - link to context of the letter to his friend.

" roving"

wandering - a luxury afforded to youth, have freedom, little responsibilities. also they are fit and healthy - link to theme of ageing

"though the heart be still as loving "

externally, nothing has physically changed, a definitive continuation. speaker still desires to wander in the night, were he finds pleasure and happiness.

ambiguity

the reader is not given a definite reason as to why the speaker can no longer go roving, we can merely speculate.

" the moon be still as bright"

it is a human constraint, nature is not stopping him.

" for the sword outwears its sheath, and the soul outwears the breast"

sentimentality of being worn out - ageing. raises the idea that people outgrow things ad situations. these lines have bleak undertones to them - not simply because of what is worn out but also how they fall into that state. at one point in time the sword fit perfectly into the sheath, over time and extensive use it is no longer purposeful, does not fulfil its duty anymore.

continuation of previous quote

this idea becomes drearier when thought of as the soul and the breast of a person. the soul wears out the breast, may simply be referring to ageing but it might also be pointing to something darker. how our thoughts, feelings and actions take a toll on our bodies and lives. a heart and soul that desires the night exists within a body that is losing its ability of enjoy this pleasure.

alternative reading : " for the sword outwears its sheath"

metaphor that the restraint on him may eventually loosen? has his desire surpassed his self-shelter? intense passion supersedes protection.

"heart must pause to breathe, and love itself have rest"

basic needs and wants are made difficult. another sign of ageing. the lines can be attributed to a person's emotional exertion and the toll it takes on them. when thought about in conjunction with stanza one the reader can begin to formulate a theory behind the speaker's decision. wandering is too much to bear now, either physically or emotionally.

"loving"

can signify romance, making love, friendship or enjoying life. it is positive, something you must seek out your entire life. "day returns too soon" demonstrates how quickly time passes when someone is full of joy and doing something that delights them - parallels how quickly youth goes.

"yet we'll go no more a roving , by the light of the moon"

despite knowing the night is a great time to do what makes you happy , the speaker stands firm in his resolve to stop wandering. he is making his own "love. itself have rest". perhaps he is too aged now, too damaged emotionally or simply outgrown from this stage in his life.