Then, alas, oh alas, poet! Why do you like songs of the seashore, when you are in the ocean of great disease and death?

This couplet is a poignant question to a poet. It asks, 'Oh, poet, why do you find joy in singing songs of the serene seashore, when we are all immersed in an ocean of great suffering, disease, and death?' It highlights a stark contrast between the beauty and escapism of art and the grim realities of life. The lines express a deep lament, questioning the relevance of light-hearted verses when the world is grappling with profound pain and mortality. It's a call to reflect on where our focus lies amidst life's struggles.