The speaker reflects on the sorrowful yet composed manner of a blacksmith, questioning how he endures his suffering without losing his sanity. There’s an implication that being mad might be a preferable state in the face of relentless misery. The speaker, feeling trapped in his own hell, is frustrated by the blacksmith's ability to maintain calmness amidst pain.
This contemplation leads to a deeper inquiry about the nature of suffering and the human condition. The speaker wonders whether divine forces are at play, preventing the blacksmith from succumbing to madness. This moment underscores the tension between sanity and insanity while exploring the burdens of enduring suffering without losing oneself.