Can She Excuse My Wrongs?

In 'Can She Excuse My Wrongs?' Sting delves into the torment of unrequited love, a theme that has resonated through centuries of poetry and music. The song's lyrics, originally penned by the Renaissance composer John Dowland, are given new life through Sting's emotive delivery. The protagonist questions whether his beloved can overlook his faults and whether he should continue to hold her in high regard despite her unkindness. The metaphor of 'virtue's cloak' suggests a facade of goodness that hides true intentions, while 'clear fires which vanish into smoke' symbolizes fleeting promises and insubstantial affection.

The song further explores the futility of loving someone who does not reciprocate. The imagery of 'cold love' being like 'words written on sand' or 'bubbles which on the water swim' emphasizes the transient and fragile nature of such affection. The protagonist grapples with the realization that his love may never be returned, leading to a sense of hopelessness and despair. The repeated lines 'Wilt thou be thus abused still / Seeing that she will right thee never?' underscore the internal conflict and the painful acknowledgment that his love may remain unfulfilled.

In the latter part of the song, the protagonist reflects on his own worth and aspirations. He questions whether he is unworthy of the 'high joys' his beloved withholds and expresses a deep yearning for mutual love. The plea for his beloved to 'yield to that which reason is' highlights a desire for a just and reasonable love. The song concludes with a poignant declaration that it is better to die than to live in constant torment, a sentiment that underscores the depth of his suffering. The final lines, 'Dear, but remember it was I / Who for thy sake did die contented,' suggest a willingness to sacrifice everything for love, even if it means enduring immense pain.