The character reflects on his state of mind, feeling quite inebriated and weighed down by a sense of sadness regarding his past experiences and failures. The imagery of "sinking" suggests deep emotional turmoil, as he struggles with the consequences of his actions and the burden of lost opportunities.

As time has passed, he has been unable to retain the knowledge and wisdom he once possessed, symbolized by the Greek alphabet slipping away from him. This metaphor illustrates how life's hardships have diminished his intellectual and emotional resilience, leaving him feeling like a mere shadow of his former self.