Spenser's Sonnet 75 is part of a sonnet sequence and presents on element of his love for his lover. In short, the element involved here is his desire to immortalize his lover and their love.
The speaker first tries to do that by writing her name in the sand on the beach, but the waves wash it away. He tries a second time, but the tide washes it away (first quatrain).
His lover then tells him he is vain for trying to immortalize something that is mortal (2nd quatrain).
He counters, insisting that his poetry will immortalize her (3rd quatrain).
He concludes with the idea that when death has killed all the world, their love shall live, and will renew life (closing couplet).
There's a bit of interpretation for you. I'll let another editor pick up from there.
By the way, the speaker was correct. At least partly: we're still reading his poem.
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