most vile or sinful of actions in order to satisfy his lust. So, whether a man acts on his lust or not, the lust will harm him greatly.
In the second quatrain the speaker returns to the idea of the man who acts on his lust. Here, the speaker is largely discussing the consequences of such actions. As soon as the man has finished his lustful act, as soon as he is done having any sexual activity, the man will come to regret and despise his own actions. The speaker explains that the feelings of the man, both before and after the sexual act, are beyond or past "reason." The reader should remember that during the Renaissance many Christians believed that Reason was a gift from God that allowed people to control their Emotions (including lust). However, Shakespeare seems to be implying that on occasion an emotion such as lust can take control over a person's ability to reason. Shakespeare does not seem to agree that one's reason can always control one's emotion. The speaker comments that before a man acts on his lust, he will pursue (or hunt -- line 6) the object of his lust in an unreasonable way. But after he has acted on his lust, the man will hate the lust, and perhaps himself, beyond reason.
Also in the second quatrain, the speaker uses the metaphor of a fish swallowing bait. The fish may think that the worm or other bait dangling at the end of the hook is the tastiest meal to be found. But once he finds the hook pulled in his jaw, he will realize what a big mistake he has made. But it will