On His Blindness

John Milton 1608 (Cheapside) – 1674 (Chalfont St Giles)



When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide,
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies: "God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts: who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait."

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on May 04, 2023

35 sec read
4,532

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABBACBBADEFDEF
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 604
Words 117
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 14

John Milton

John Milton was the Secretary of State of Georgia from 1777 to 1799. more…

All John Milton poems | John Milton Books

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1 Comment
  • JWA
    I can relate to this Poem, because, as a child, the Drs predicted that I'd be blind by age 19. Thank God it didn't happen! At times, though, I had to move up to the front of the class to see better. Despite Perfect Sight Denied, I was Expected to present my Classwork, Completed, like all the other Pupils! 
    LikeReply 21 year ago

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"On His Blindness" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/23807/on-his-blindness>.

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