The speaker begins by remembering a time when she constantly replayed a lover’s words, looks, and deeds, as if counting prayer beads. Yet she says that being so full of memory left no room for love to change her; her very changelessness made her unfaithful because she gave no active obedience. After long days of forgetting him and living her own life, she looks back and realizes that her independent actions were actually shaped by what he taught her. In this way, what seems like inconstancy can continue faith, since change itself becomes a form of obedience. The mood is reflective and quietly ironic, turning ordinary ideas of loyalty upside down. Rather than simple heartbreak or devotion, the poem offers a cool, thoughtful puzzle about how memory and forgetting can both keep a relationship alive.
Inconstancy — Summary
Time was, when I recalled your words, your looks, your deeds. As a rapt nun counts over her blest beads; Then was my mind so filled with memory Love had no room to work his change in me, And I was faithless from my faith's continuance, Since being changeless I gave no obedience.
I have forgotten you, for these long days, All unsustained by you I went my ways, Now at the end I take you back to thought To find my action was the thing you taught. And so in faithlessness is faith's continuance. Since in a change I do you all obedience.