The Roan of the tale is presumably absorbed with capturing the likeness of his lover, who is full of life- "she would dance and sing so completely"- but he's too obsessed with capturing her and preserving the moment, "so be still he now cries
I have time, oh let clay transform thee so."
But, whilst he's obsessed with doing this, she falls ill and dies, and all of a sudden he realises what he's missed. In order to overcome his grief, he becomes even more absorbed in his work, imagining that the statue might come to life Pygmalion-style and he would be reconnected with his lost love. The rest of the song exploring the feelings he has, remembering his love and the time they spent together, imagining what it would be like when they'd lived a full life together, and could look back on it.
Or maybe she does somehow return to life? Who can tell?
The Roan of the tale is presumably absorbed with capturing the likeness of his lover, who is full of life- "she would dance and sing so completely"- but he's too obsessed with capturing her and preserving the moment, "so be still he now cries I have time, oh let clay transform thee so."
But, whilst he's obsessed with doing this, she falls ill and dies, and all of a sudden he realises what he's missed. In order to overcome his grief, he becomes even more absorbed in his work, imagining that the statue might come to life Pygmalion-style and he would be reconnected with his lost love. The rest of the song exploring the feelings he has, remembering his love and the time they spent together, imagining what it would be like when they'd lived a full life together, and could look back on it.
Or maybe she does somehow return to life? Who can tell?