by TC Crumpton

Created on: June 23, 2008   Last Updated: July 27, 2008

1 When I consider how my light is spent
2 Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
3 And that one talent which is death to hide
4 Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent
5 To serve therewith my Maker, and present
6 My true account, lest he returning chide,
7 "Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"
8 I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
9 That murmur, soon replies: "God doth not need

10 Either man's work or his own gifts: who best
11 Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
12 Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
13 And post o'er land and ocean without rest:
14 They also serve who only stand and wait."

From simple prayer to sonnet:
Political and religious unrest plagues the people of 17th century England. Once civil servant cast out for his unconventional political and religious views, John Milton reflects in his abode. Unaccompanied in the dark, he says a prayer (Stanzas 1-8), and in God's light hears his answer (Stanzas 9-14). Blind he may be, but alone he is not. With his pen, Puritan John Milton writes "When I consider how my light is spent", a testament to raw faith in the face of tragedy.

Though Milton is a victim of growing physical abnormality as well as societal intolerance, he does not hide his truth, but rather chooses to express his conscious contact with God in this sonnet. Milton's voice is born not of fear or resentment, but reservation for loss of the purpose God bestowed upon him. He is direct stating that the pure force of talent is "death to hide", lodged inside, unable to find a way out. His sight, talent, and soul intertwine in Milton's "light".

Milton conveys his conviction and determination to serve the Lord despite his affliction and worldly exile. "Though my soul more bent, To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account". The query Milton poses is universal among profound and gifted individuals still today. "Doth God exact day labor, light denied?" Variants of this question may be "Have I done enough? Is prayer and devotion enough if I cannot put pen to paper? Will you hear me? Do I still matter? What should I do now?"

John Milton's trust in God renders these questions rhetorical. He humbly asks the Lord for reassurance of his place on earth and in heaven. However, Milton does not wish for God to think him self-important or bitter. "I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent" Notice that Milton never asks "Lord, why have you forsaken me?" He indicates his primary focus remains his relationship with God. He seeks approval only from the Lord just as he did throughout his working life.

The second half of the sonnet is a calm reply from the Lord's smiling lips. "God doth not need Either's man's work or his own gifts: who best Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best." The Lord assures Milton that the only weight he expects man to carry is the power of God in his heart. "Thousands at his bidding speed, And post o'er land and ocean without rest: They also serve who only stand and wait." The quiet power of lines 12-14 promise Milton that he has indeed lived in the Lord's will. God watches over those he loves and carries them on the wings of angels posted throughout the world to protect his children. The time has come for John Milton to rest in repose until God calls him home.

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