John Milton

Milton is customarily ranked as the second-greatest poet in English, surpassed only by Shakespeare. There have been attacks—most notably by Samuel Johnson in the eighteenth century

How soon hath Time the subtle thief of youth

by John Milton (1608–74)

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16

How soon hath Time the subtle thief of youth,

Stol'n on his wing my three and twentieth year!

My hasting days fly on with full career,

By my late spring no bud or blossom shew'th.

Perhaps my semblance might deceive the truth,

That I to manhood am arriv'd so near,

And inward ripeness doth much less appear,

That some more timely-happy spirits endu'th.

Yet be it less or more, or soon or slow,

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