I wasted time, and now doth time waste me; For now hath time made me his numbering clock: My thoughts are minutes; and with sighs they jar Their watches on unto mine eyes, the outward watch, Whereto my finger, like a dial's point, Is pointing still, in cleansing them from tears. Now sir, the sound that tells what hour it is Are clamorous groans, which strike upon my heart, Which is the bell: so sighs and tears and groans Show minutes, times, and hours.
The speaker reflects on the passage of time with a sense of regret, realizing that time has become a relentless force in their life. They feel as though their thoughts and emotions are measured in fleeting moments, with each sigh and tear serving as reminders of how time has affected them. The imagery of a clock reinforces the idea that time keeps moving forward, indifferent to personal suffering.
As the speaker contemplates their plight, they express that their heart bears the weight of time’s passage through groans and sighs. The bell of their heart, marking the hour, serves as an indication of their inner turmoil, illustrating how deeply intertwined their emotional state is with the inexorable march of time. This reflection encapsulates the battle between human experience and the relentless nature of time.
