Waves

Waves represent the inevitability of change. In the ocean, waves appear and disappear in cycles that cannot be controlled by human action. Likewise, in this poem, they wipe away the beloved's name, as time will one day potentially erase her memory.

Dust

Dust symbolizes death. It is associated with burial and thus with mortality. In the poem, it is used as a point of contrast: although some things fade into dust, some – like memory and reputation – can live forever.

Names

Names symbolize reputation. This was a stock metaphor in the early modern era. One's name was how one was known, and thus associated with one's identity and other's understanding of one's character.