MILTON ON BLINDNESS

 

John Milton was an enormously gifted but unproductive young man. He mastered languages and literature but squandered his talents. He was an idealist who found a niche when his skill in Latin was put into service in the Revolutionary Government of Oliver Cromwell. He was faced with two crises: first his eyesight began to fail, second the Cromwell government proved to be incapable of delivering a republic.

He tasted the bitter draft of suffering and failure but he learned to wait in patience until there germinated in his agile mind the Great poetry of Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained.

Sonnet 19: When I consider how my light is spent

By John Milton

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

   Lodged 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.”