The poem reflects a monarch’s solemn decision to abdicate the throne, viewing its grandeur as an oppressive weight. It contrasts the noisy splendor of court life with the serene solitude sought in monastic retreat. While the speaker longs for peace and escape from worldly clamor, lingering feelings of guilt and shame haunt the choice. Ultimately, the abdication symbolizes a profound trade: relinquishing power and glory for quietude, even at the cost of life’s vibrancy.