Vows

The vows to which the speaker refers symbolize a romantic bond or, more specifically, a marriage. The allusion to marriage vows is what leads many to interpret the poem as a lament for a mutual love between two people that has begun to fade. The speaker pretends as though it is easy to "cancel" one's vows, but reveals at the end of the poem that he desperately wishes for his beloved's affection (5).

Dying Man

The dying figure that appears in the sestet of the poem symbolizes a failing love. The speaker describes love as lying on its death bed, struggling to breathe, and closing its eyes. By comparing love to a dying person, the speaker suggests that his pursuit of his beloved is on the verge of collapse but that it can be saved or "recovered" by the beloved when everyone else has given up (14).