Sonnet XIX: When I Consider How my Light is Spent

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 April 20, 2023

35 sec read
64

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABBACBBADEFDEF
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 686
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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