John Milton Quotes on Light (21 Quotes)

This horror will grow mild, this darkness light.

No light, but rather darkness visible.

Long is the way And hard, that out of hell leads up to light.

Morn, Wak'd by the circling hours, with rosy hand Unbarr'd the gates of light.

Lawrence, of virtuous father virtuous son, Now that the fields are dank, and ways are mire, Where shall we sometimes meet, and by the fire Help waste a sullen day, what may be won From the hard season gaining Time will run On smoother, till Favonius re-inspire The frozen earth, and clothe in fresh attire The lily and rose, that neither sowed nor spun. What neat repast shall feast us, light and choice, Of Attic taste, with wine, whence we may rise To hear the lute well touched, or artful voice Warble immortal notes and Tuscan air He who of those delights can judge, and spare To interpose them oft, is not unwise.

Come, knit hands, and beat the ground, in a light fantastic round.

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.'

O loss of sight, of thee I most complain Blind among enemies, O worse than chains, dungeon or beggary, or decrepit age Light, the prime work of God, to me is extinct, and all her various objects of delight annulled, which might in part my grief have eased. Inferior to the vilest now become of man or worm the vilest here excel me, they creep, yet see I, dark in light, exposed to daily fraud, contempt, abuse and wrong, within doors, or without, still as a fool, in power of others, never in my own scarce half I seem to live, dead more than half.

Sport, that wrinkled Care derides, And Laughter holding both his sides. Come and trip it as ye go, On the light fantastic toe.

With thy long levell'd rule of streaming light.

Yet from those flames No light, but rather darkness visible.

Now came still evening on, and twilight gray Had in her sober livery all things clad Silence accompany'd for beast and bird, They to their grassy couch, these to their nests, Were slunk, all but the wakeful nightingale She all night long her amorous descant sung Silence was pleas'd. Now glow'd the firmament With living sapphires Hesperus, that led The starry host, rode brightest, till the moon, Rising in clouded majesty, at length Apparent queen unveil'd her peerless light, And o'er the dark her silver mantle threw.

But peaceful was the night Wherein the Prince of Light His reign of peace upon the earth began. The winds with wonder whist, Smoothly the waters kiss, Whispering new joys to the mild Ocean, Who now hath quite forgot to rave, While birds of calm sit brooding on the charmed wave. The stars, with deep amaze, Stand fixed in steadfast gaze, Bending one way their precious influence And will not take their flight, For all the morning light, Or Lucifer that often warmed them thence But in their glimmering orbs did glow, Until their Lord himself bespake, and bid them go. And, though the shady gloom Had given day her room, The sun himself withheld his wonted speed, And hid his head for shame, As his inferior flame The new-enlightened world no more should need He saw a greater Sun appear Than his bright throne or burning axeltree could bear.

Lady, that in the prime of earliest youth Wisely hast shunned the broad way and the green, And with those few art eminently seen, That labour up the hill of heavenly truth, The better part with Mary and with Ruth Chosen thou hast and they that overween, And at thy growing virtues fret their spleen, No anger find in thee, but pity and ruth. Thy care is fixed, and zealously attends To fill thy odorous lamp with deeds of light, And hope that reaps not shame. Therefore be sure Thou, when the Bridegroom with His feastful friends Passes to bliss at the mid hour of night, Hast gained thy entrance, Virgin wise and pure.

Hither, as to their fountain, other stars Repairing, in their golden urns draw light.

And storied windows richly dight, Casting a dim religious light.

His sleep Was aery light, from pure digestion bred.

And God made two great lights, great for their useTo Man, the greater to have rule by day,The less by night . . .

Confusion heard his voice, and wild uproar Stood ruled, stood vast infinitude confined; Till at his second bidding darkness fled, Light shone, and order from disorder sprung.

Cyriac, this three years' day these eyes, though clear, To outward view, of blemish or of spot, Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot Nor to their idle orbs doth sight appear Of sun, or moon, or star, throughout the year, Or man, or woman. Yet I argue not Against Heav'n's hand or will, nor bate a jot Of heart or hope but still bear up and steer Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask The conscience, Friend, t' have lost them overplied In liberty's defence, my noble task, Of which all Europe rings from side to side. This thought might lead me through the world's vain mask Content, though blind, had I no better guide.

Virtue could see to do what Virtue would by her own radiant light, though sun and moon where in the flat sea sunk.