The above poem was written by Queen Elisabeth I and shows her thoughts about having rejected love when she had the opportunity to get it and now she feels bad, because she would like to be loved, but she can no longer afford to do so.
In the poem the queen shows how, in her youth, she was a beautiful and attractive creature drawing the attention of several men whom she despised. Now as a queen, romance no longer fits into your life, because it would show a weakness that is impermissible for reality. However, cupid (the son of Venus mentioned in the poem) made her pay for the contempt for the love she had, growing old, losing beauty, becoming sovereign, falling in love and being despised.