How to paraphrase the given lines from this poem? Thank you in advance

For love was offered me and I shrank from its disillusionment;
Sorrow knocked at my door, but I was afraid;
Ambition called to me, but I dreaded the chances.

I was too timorous to accept love at its face value,
I could not face sorrow
and I stifled ambition because I could not face success.

Which sad git wrote this self-indulgent drivel?