Ah! You're getting there now. You're misinterpreting this sentence but worry not. You're on the brink of an epiphany!
"That I had wooed, not as I should, A creature made of clay"
This is to say...
"That I have courted, not a creature made of clay, which is what I should have done"

Clearly, his way is better.
My way is clearer.
Your way is to buy me a pint the first time I'm ever in Pugwash or Tatamagouche!
Now: The next sound you'll hear will be that of the penny dropping.