Milton Sonnet 16, When I consider how my light is spent,

Milton Sonnet 16


羅杰罹病後，歷經所有免疫系統崩潰的折騰，白老鼠似的嚐百草試新藥，「用手邊任何東西拼製了一件武器，就像牢獄裡的犯人把一隻湯匙柄磨成一把小匕首。你勇猛地奮戰，你狠毒地奮戰…」

器官逐樣失能和衰竭。失明前，羅杰用破碎的聲音，朗誦密爾頓寫失明的十四行詩：「當我思量我的光是如何消逝時／在我半生之前，在這黑暗的世界而遼闊……」他知道自己掌上的生命線中止於何處。

Sonnet 16

When I consider how my light is spent,
E're half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one Talent which is death to hide,
Lodg'd with me useless, though my Soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, least he returning chide,
Doth God exact day-labour, light deny'd,
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 milde yoak, they serve him best, his State
Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed
And post o're Land and Ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and waite.

• by: Milton
• Milton Poetry