How soon hath Time, the subtle thief of youth,
Stolen on his wing my three and twentieth year!
My hasting days fly with full career,
But my late spring no bud no blossom shew’th.
Perhaps my semblance might deceive the truth
That I to manhood am arrived so near;
And inward ripeness doth much less appear,
That some more timely-happy spirits endu’th.
Yet be less or more, or soon or slow,
It shall be still in strictest measure even
To that same lot, however mean or high,
Toward which time leads me, and the will of heaven.
All is, if I have grace to use it so,
As ever in my great Task Master’s eye.
by John Milton
Image source: USC
