Final answer:
The speaker of "Sailing to Byzantium" prefers to be part of a work of art due to the eternal beauty and immortality it represents, conveying the message that art can transcend the limitations of mortal existence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The speaker of "Sailing to Byzantium" says he would rather be a part of a piece of art because he believes that art represents eternal beauty and immortality, while life is temporary and subject to decay. He longs to escape the physical limitations of aging and mortality and seeks to become a timeless work of art. The poem's message about life and art is that art can transcend the limitations of mortal existence and allow one to achieve a form of immortality through the beauty and permanence of artistic creations.