Saturday, January 17, 2009

They also serve ..

I remembered this poem for some reason .
On his blindness

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.

John Milton

3 comments:

The Mad Hatter said...

If you're an Asimov fan, there's a Black Widowers story where this poem, especially the last line is a key plot element.

(and no, I haven't given much away by that)

loop said...

Ah, Asimov fan I am. Which one of the Black widowers story ?

The Mad Hatter said...

Sixty Million Trillion Combinations ("The Banquets of the Black Widowers")

And this is now my personal record for answering a question late - by a year and a half.