Sonnet XIX | When I consider how my life is spent | When I consider how my light is spent

by John Milton (1608 - 1674)

When I consider how my light is spent

Language: English

Our translations: GER ITA

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."

Available sung texts: ← What is this?

• G. Finzi

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Text Authorship:

by John Milton (1608 - 1674), "Sonnet XIX" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):

by Stephen Bick (b. 1993), "On his blindness", 2020, first performed 2020 [ voice and piano ], confirmed with a concert programme booklet [sung text checked 1 time]
by Gerald Finzi (1901 - 1956), "When I consider how my life is spent", op. 12 no. 1 (192-?) [ tenor or soprano and small orchestra ], from Two Sonnets, no. 1 [sung text checked 1 time]

Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

HUN Hungarian (Magyar) (Árpád Tóth) , "A vak szonettje"

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

This text was added to the website: 2008-01-08
Line count: 14
Word count: 113