The Speaker (Poet) – The speaker is talking in the poem. He is an old man who feels that he is near the end of his life. He compares himself to autumn, twilight, and a dying fire to show that his youth and strength are fading.

The Beloved (Listener) – This is the person the speaker is talking to. The beloved is younger and still full of life. The speaker tells this person that seeing his old age should make the beloved love him even more, because time is short.