Sonnets, Last Five Summary

"When I Consider" finds Milton contemplating that although he is perhaps less than halfway through life, his "light is spent," meaning he is blind. His talent now seems useless, and he wonders, foolishly, if God will expect daytime labor from a person without light. The answer is that God needs nothing from humans except to serve Him by bearing their burdens. The poet reflects that thousands of angels speed across the lands and waters to do God's bidding, but the Lord is also served by those who merely wait. "Lawrence" is addressed to a good friend, who has a respected father. The poet asks where he and Lawrence might meet again during this winter to pass the time until spring returns. He wants to share a meal and wine with Lawrence, and listen to music, because anyone who appreciates...