They reel and stagger like one drunk, at their wit's end they be:
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits' end.
They reel to and fro and stagger like a drunken man and are at their wits' end [all their wisdom has come to nothing].
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits’ end.
They staggered and stumbled around like they were drunk. None of their skill was of any help.