by
John Milton (1608 - 1674)
When I consider how my light is spent
Language: English
Available translation(s): GER ITA
When I consider how my [light]1 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."
About the headline (FAQ)
View original text (without footnotes)
1 Finzi: "life"
Authorship:
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- GER German (Deutsch) [singable] (Walter A. Aue) , "Sonett XIX: Wenn ich bedenke, wie mein Licht verblich", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- HUN Hungarian (Magyar) (Árpád Tóth) , "A vak szonettje"
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Ferdinando Albeggiani) , copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [
Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-01-08
Line count: 14
Word count: 113
Sonett XIX: Wenn ich bedenke, wie mein Licht verblich
Language: German (Deutsch)  after the English
Wenn ich bedenke, wie mein Licht verblich
zur Lebensmitte schon in dunkler Welt;
und das Talent, dess' Muße Tod enthält,
liegt ungenützt, obwohl die Seel' für sich
dem Schöpfer dienen, zeugen will für mich,
was ich getan, daß Rückgab' er nicht schelt:
Befiehlt Gott Arbeit, wem kein Tag erhellt?
mein Irrtum frägt. Geduldig antwort' ich
um Murren zu verhindern: Gott braucht nicht
die eig'nen Gaben noch der Menschen Hast:
Am besten dient, wer dient nach altem Brauch.
Sein Königswort nimmt Tausende in Pflicht
und schickt durch Meer und Land sie ohne Rast -
und wer nur steht und wartet, dienet auch!
Authorship:
Based on:
- a text in English by John Milton (1608 - 1674), "Sonnet XIX"
This text was added to the website: 2010-03-26
Line count: 14
Word count: 101