Whoso list to hunt, I know where is an hind,
But as for me, helas, I may no more.
The vain travail hath worried me so sore,
I am of them that furthest come behind.
Yet may I by no means, my worried mind
Draw from the deer; but as she fleeth afore
Fainting I follow. I leave off therefore,
Since in a net I seek to hold the wind.
Who list her hunt, I put him out of doubt,
As well as I, may spend his time in vain;
And graven in diamonds in letters plain
The speaker realizes that his efforts are entirely in vain, and relates his efforts to catching wind in a net. The metaphor suggests that the speaker is so devoted to this “hunt” that he will pursue even though the desired result is unobtainable. 

Whoso List to Hunt