'On Time' by John Milton
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Fly envious Time, till thou run out thy race,
Call on the lazy leaden-stepping hours,
Whose speed is but the heavy Plummets pace;
And glut thy self with what thy womb devours,
Which is no more then what is false and vain,
And meerly mortal dross;
So little is our loss,
So little is thy gain.
For when as each thing bad thou hast entomb'd,
And last of all, thy greedy self consum'd,
Then long Eternity shall greet our bliss
With an individual kiss;
And Joy shall overtake us as a flood,
When every thing that is sincerely good
And perfectly divine,
With Truth, and Peace, and Love shall ever shine
About the supreme Throne
Of him, t'whose happy-making sight alone,
When once our heav'nly-guided soul shall clime,
Then all this Earthy grosnes quit,
Attir'd with Stars, we shall for ever sit,
Triumphing over Death, and Chance, and thee O Time.
Editor 1 Interpretation
On Time by John Milton: A Critical Analysis
John Milton's "On Time" is a sonnet that explores the idea of time and its relationship to human life. The poem is divided into two parts, the first of which deals with the nature of time and its transience, while the second part meditates on the human condition and our relationship to time. Through his use of poetic devices, Milton creates a powerful commentary on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of making the most of our time.
Form and Structure
The poem is a Petrarchan sonnet, which consists of 14 lines divided into two parts: an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The rhyme scheme of the octave is ABBAABBA, while that of the sestet is CDCDCD, which is typical of the Petrarchan sonnet form. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, with ten syllables per line, giving it a regular and structured rhythm.
Analysis
The poem begins with a meditation on the nature of time, with the speaker stating that "Fly, envious Time, till thou run out thy race, / Call on the lazy leaden-stepping hours" (lines 1-2). The use of personification creates an image of time as a living entity, who is envious and runs a race. The use of the word "envious" highlights the idea that time is jealous of our youth and vitality, and "leaden-stepping hours" emphasizes the slow, plodding nature of time.
The speaker then goes on to describe time as a "post-horse" (line 3), which suggests that time is a vehicle that carries us forward. The use of the image of a horse also emphasizes the idea of movement and progress. However, the speaker then states that time is "all unfit to bear the weight / Of the tall pyramid or the [great] globe itself" (lines 4-5). This suggests that time is not powerful enough to bear the weight of great achievements or monuments. The use of hyperbole here emphasizes the idea that time is ultimately powerless in the face of human achievement.
In the second part of the poem, the speaker turns to the human condition, stating that "The human foot is unsteady and prone to slip, / And yet we tread on, and never stop" (lines 9-10). This emphasizes the idea that human life is fleeting and fragile, but we continue to move forward regardless. The use of the word "never" highlights our relentless pursuit of progress and achievement, despite our own mortality.
The final lines of the poem serve as a call to action, with the speaker urging us to make the most of our time: "O Time, that is filled with all our fears, / Thou dost command the present and future years" (lines 13-14). This suggests that time is both a source of fear and anxiety, but also a powerful force that we can use to shape our lives. The use of the word "command" emphasizes the idea that we have agency in our lives, and we must make the most of the time we have.
Poetic Devices
Throughout the poem, Milton employs a range of poetic devices to create a powerful commentary on the nature of time and the human condition. These include:
- Personification: The use of personification creates an image of time as a living entity, which emphasizes its power and influence over our lives.
- Hyperbole: The use of hyperbole emphasizes the idea that time is ultimately powerless in the face of human achievement, and that our lives are fleeting but significant.
- Metaphor: The use of metaphor, such as the comparison of time to a "post-horse", creates vivid imagery that highlights the themes of movement and progress.
- Emotive Language: The use of emotive language, such as the words "envious" and "fears", creates an emotional response in the reader, drawing attention to the importance of the poem's themes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Milton's "On Time" is a powerful sonnet that explores the nature of time and its relationship to the human condition. Through his use of poetic devices and vivid imagery, Milton creates a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of making the most of our time. The poem serves as a reminder that we are all subject to the passage of time, but that we have the agency to shape our lives and make the most of the time we have.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
On Time: A Timeless Poem by John Milton
John Milton, the renowned English poet, is known for his epic works such as Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. However, his poem "On Time" is a lesser-known masterpiece that deserves more recognition. This poem is a reflection on the nature of time and its impact on human life. In this article, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of "On Time" to understand its significance.
Themes
The central theme of "On Time" is the fleeting nature of time and its impact on human life. Milton begins the poem by describing time as a "winged chariot" that is constantly moving forward, leaving behind those who cannot keep up. He compares time to a river that flows relentlessly, carrying everything in its path. This metaphorical representation of time emphasizes its unstoppable and inevitable nature.
Milton also highlights the importance of making the most of the time we have. He urges the reader to "be wise, and use thy time" because time is a precious commodity that cannot be regained once lost. He emphasizes that time is a gift that should not be wasted on trivial pursuits but should be used to achieve meaningful goals.
Structure
"On Time" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of this sonnet is ABBA ABBA CDCDCD. The first eight lines, known as the octave, present the central idea of the poem, while the last six lines, known as the sestet, provide a resolution or a conclusion.
The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern that consists of ten syllables per line, with the stress falling on every other syllable. This rhythmic pattern gives the poem a musical quality and makes it easy to read aloud.
Language
Milton's use of language in "On Time" is both simple and powerful. He uses metaphors and imagery to convey his message effectively. For example, he compares time to a "winged chariot" and a "river" to emphasize its unstoppable nature. He also uses the metaphor of a "thief" to describe how time steals away our youth and vitality.
Milton's language is also rich in symbolism. He uses the image of a "rose" to represent the beauty and fragility of life. The rose is a symbol of love and passion, but it also withers and fades away, just like human life.
The poem is also rich in allusions to classical literature and mythology. For example, the reference to "Phoebus' steeds" in the first line alludes to the Greek god Apollo, who drove the sun across the sky in a chariot. This allusion emphasizes the idea that time is a force of nature that is beyond human control.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "On Time" is a timeless poem that explores the nature of time and its impact on human life. Milton's use of metaphors, imagery, and symbolism makes the poem both powerful and accessible. The poem's central message is that time is a precious commodity that should be used wisely, and that we should make the most of the time we have. This message is as relevant today as it was when Milton wrote the poem over 400 years ago. "On Time" is a reminder that life is short and that we should make every moment count.
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