How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
The soul descends once more in bitter love (26)
The soul has to make sacrifices for the human, and it's a little resentful of this. But as we read on we see that the soul becomes less upset about it.
Quote #2
To accept the waking body, saying now (27)
Here the soul accepts the body out of love and forgives the body for its human weakness, which is good because otherwise we'd probably be stuck in bed all day.
Quote #3
Bring them down from their ruddy gallows; (29)
The soul loves the humans enough to want them saved, even though loving them means dealing with more than a little dirty laundry.
Quote #4
Let there be clean linen for the backs of thieves;
Let lovers go fresh and clean to be undone, (30-31)
See, here's the thing. Why else would the soul possibly return to the body for if not love? There's really no other reason. The soul loves thieves, despite their thievery. If the soul didn't love those thieves, then we bet the soul would go on hanging out with the angels. Only love can bring it back.