John Milton

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John Milton – 20 July 2008

John Milton, born 9 December 1608, was an English poet and political writer who wrote one of the world’s great epics – “Paradise Lost.” He died 8 November 1674.

This is what William Wordsworth wrote of John Milton:

Thy soul was like a star and dwelt apart;
Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea –
Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free;
So didst thou travel on life’s common way
In cheerful godliness: and yet thy heart
The lowliest duties on herself did lay.

In his middle forties, John Milton lost his sight. This poem “On His Blindness” (also known as “Sonnet On His Blindness” and “When I Consider How My Light Is Spent”), is one of the best-known sonnets in the English language:

On His Blindness
By John Milton
(9 December1608 – 8 November 1674)

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-labor, 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."

For a large collection of poems and stories, visit:
http://www.all-creatures.org/poetrydir.html 
 

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