Summary

The speaker begins by observing the delights that are available to those who are in love. They explore beautiful gardens and are always together. However, this time can only last a short while, and the end of love is inevitable.

The poem’s central character, the “unfortunate lover” of the title, was born in the midst of a shipwreck. His mother washed up on the shore just long enough for him to be born. In the midst of this sea birth, he began to cry, and the tears remained in his eyes for the rest of his life.

The changing elements of his birth marked his fortune for the rest of his life. He was looked after only by the “cormorants” (27). These sea-birds are a metaphor for the Court of Wards, which looked after him only for their own benefit.

His sorrows did not...