Sonnet 19
John Milton 1608 (Cheapside) – 1674 (Chalfont St Giles)
XIX
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."
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Submitted on May 13, 2011
Modified on March 17, 2023
- 35 sec read
- 126 Views
Quick analysis:
Scheme | ABBACBBADEFDEF |
---|---|
Closest metre | Iambic pentameter |
Characters | 608 |
Words | 118 |
Stanzas | 1 |
Stanza Lengths | 14 |
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"Sonnet 19" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 1 Jun 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/23877/sonnet-19>.
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