<meta>

<name>John <index>Milton</index></name>

</author>

<title>On his blindness</title>

<source>Borrowed from <uri>http://alt.venus.co.uk/weed/writings/poems/jmblind.htm</uri> (thanks to Weed for posting it), with a tiny correction; marked up by the Sonneteer.</source>

<remark>One of the greatest. Tight, taut, measured in the octave; in the sestet, answering it, strong enjambments keep everything moving. The sonnet is a <quote>mild yoke</quote>.</remark>

<remark>It may be particularly interesting to remember, that among the angelic hierarchies who serve God in Heaven (and this is surely a subject Milton knew as well as any other), the angels who wait in the Lord's presence, perhaps singing songs of praise), are said to be <stress>higher</stress> ranked (and more highly honored) than those who are sent on His errands. By implication, Milton turns the ego-complicating aspect of the poem entirely on its head: whether it is the greatest kind of humility, or of pride, is hard to say.</remark>

</meta>

<line>When I consider how my light is <rhyme on="a">spent</rhyme>,</line>

<line>Ere half my days, in this dark world and <rhyme on="b">wide</rhyme>,</line>

<line>And that one talent which is death to <rhyme on="b">hide</rhyme>,</line>

<line>Lodged with me useless, though my soul more <rhyme on="a">bent</rhyme></line>

</quatrain>

<line>To serve therewith my maker, and <rhyme on="a">present</rhyme></line>

<line>My true account, lest he returning <rhyme on="b">chide</rhyme>,</line>

<line>Doth God exact day-labour, light <rhyme on="b">denied</rhyme>?</line>

<line>I fondly ask; but Patience to <rhyme on="a">prevent</rhyme></line>

</quatrain>

</octave>

<line>That murmur, soon replies, God doth not <rhyme on="c">need</rhyme></line>

<line>Either man's work or his own gifts, who <rhyme on="d">best</rhyme></line>

<line>Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best, his <rhyme on="e">state</rhyme></line>

<line>Is kingly. Thousands at his bidding <rhyme on="c">speed</rhyme></line>

</quatrain>

<line>And post o'er land and ocean without <rhyme on="d">rest</rhyme>:</line>

<line>They also serve who only stand and <rhyme on="e">wait</rhyme>.</line>

</couplet>

</sestet>

</sonnet>

</sonneteer>