John Milton - «Cuando pienso cómo mi luz se ha ido...»

 

Cuando pienso cómo mi luz se ha ido,
media existencia en este mundo oscuro
y mi talento que en mi muerte apuro,
inútil soy; mi espíritu abatido

sirviendo al Creador, dando sentido
a mi vida, de toda culpa abjuro,
Dios me niega la luz, que es trance duro,
y le inquiero con tono compungido:

“¿Qué puedo hacer sin luz?” Y me responde:
“Dios no precisa dones jactanciosos;
quien mejor lleva el yugo, menos tarda.”

Su causa es justa y miles corren donde
por tierra y mar lo buscan presurosos,
mas le sirve también quien solo aguarda.

John Milton


(Traducción de Santiago García Castañón)



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.”


"When I Consider How My Light is Spent" (Also known as "On His Blindness") is one of the best known of the sonnets of John Milton (1608–1674). The last three lines are particularly well known; they conclude with "They also serve who only stand and wait", which is much quoted though rarely in context.

(Wikipedia)