In this poem the man is heading off on some sort of journey and he is forbidding his lover of 
mourning in his absence.  Their deep love is evident and some sexual meaning can be identified in 
the line "And grows erect, as that comes home", signifying a spiritual as well as physical connection 
between the couple.  In class we discussed how the poem is somewhat of an argument. However, in 
the end the man tells the woman not to fret because he will return, letting her know that his leave is 
not permanent.