On Time by John Milton | On Time | John Milton | Explanation | Summary | Key Points | Word Meaning | Critical Appreciation | Questions Answers | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
On Time
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 than what is false and vain,
And merely 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 grossnes quit,
Attir’d with Stars, we shall for ever sit,
Triumphing over Death, and Chance, and thee O Time.
line-by-line explanation of the poem
Line 1: Fly envious Time, till thou run out thy race,
Explanation: The speaker is addressing Time, urging it to hasten its passage. They use the word “envious” to suggest that Time is jealous of the eternal nature of the human soul.
Line 2: Call on the lazy leaden-stepping hours,
Explanation: The speaker is calling upon the hours to move more quickly. They use the phrase “leaden-stepping” to suggest that the hours are slow and heavy.
Line 3: Whose speed is but the heavy Plummets pace;
Explanation: The speaker is comparing the speed of the hours to a plummet, which is a weight used to measure the depth of water. They are suggesting that the hours are just as slow and heavy as a plummet.
Line 4: And glut thy self with what thy womb devours,
Explanation: The speaker is telling Time to gorge itself on the things that it consumes. They use the word “devours” to suggest that Time is greedy and insatiable.
Line 5: Which is no more than what is false and vain,
Explanation: The speaker is saying that the only things that Time consumes are false and vain. They are suggesting that Time has no power over true and lasting things.
Line 6: And merely mortal dross;
Explanation: The speaker is continuing to say that the only things that Time consumes are worthless. They use the word “dross” to suggest that these things are scum or refuse.
Line 7: So little is our loss,
Explanation: The speaker is saying that it is not a great loss when Time consumes things that are false and vain. They are suggesting that we should not be afraid of Time.
Line 8: So little is thy gain.
Explanation: The speaker is saying that Time does not gain anything by consuming things that are false and vain. They are suggesting that Time is ultimately powerless.
Line 9: For when as each thing bad thou hast entomb’d,
Explanation: The speaker is saying that when Time has consumed all things that are bad, it will finally consume itself.
Line 10: And last of all, thy greedy self consum’d,
Explanation: The speaker is repeating that Time will eventually consume itself.
Line 11: Then long Eternity shall greet our bliss
Explanation: The speaker is saying that when Time is gone, eternity will greet us with bliss. They are suggesting that eternity is a state of perfect happiness.
Line 12: With an individual kiss;
Explanation: The speaker is saying that eternity will greet us with a kiss that is unique to each of us. They are suggesting that eternity is a state of perfect personalization.
Line 13: And Joy shall overtake us as a flood,
Explanation: The speaker is saying that joy will overwhelm us like a flood. They are suggesting that eternity is a state of overwhelming joy.
Line 14: When every thing that is sincerely good
Explanation: The speaker is saying that when we enter eternity, we will be surrounded by everything that is sincerely good. They are suggesting that eternity is a state of perfect goodness.
Line 15: And perfectly divine,
Explanation: The speaker is saying that when we enter eternity, we will be surrounded by everything that is perfectly divine. They are suggesting that eternity is a state of perfect divinity.
Line 16: With Truth, and Peace, and Love shall ever shine
Explanation: The speaker is saying that truth, peace, and love will shine forever in eternity. They are suggesting that eternity is a state of perfect light and love.
Line 17: About the supreme Throne
Explanation: The speaker is saying that the supreme throne is the center of eternity. They are suggesting that eternity is a state of perfect order and harmony.
Line 18: Of him, t’whose happy-making sight alone,
Explanation: The speaker is saying that the sight of God alone is enough to make us happy in eternity. They are suggesting that eternity is a state of perfect happiness.
Line 19: When once our heav’nly guided soul shall clime,
Explanation: The speaker is saying that when our souls are guided to heaven, we will enter eternity. They are suggesting that eternity is a state of perfect spiritual fulfillment.
Line 20: Then all this Earthy grossnes quit,
Explanation: The speaker is saying that when we enter eternity, we will be freed from all earthly grossness. They are suggesting that eternity is a state of perfect purity.
Line 21: Attir’d with Stars, we shall for ever sit,
Explanation: The speaker is saying that when we enter eternity, we will be clothed in stars and sit forever. They are suggesting that eternity is a state of perfect glory.
Line 22: Triumphing over Death, and Chance, and thee O Time.
Explanation: The speaker concludes the poem by expressing the triumphant feeling of overcoming death, chance, and Time itself. They emphasize the liberation and victory achieved in eternity.
Word Meaning
| Line | Word | Meaning | अर्थ |
| 1 | envious | Jealous or resentful of another’s success or advantages | ईर्ष्यालु |
| 1 | thou | you | तुम |
| 1 | thy | your | तेरा |
| 2 | leaden-stepping | Slow and heavy | धीमी और भारी |
| 3 | plummet | A weight hung on a cord, used to measure the depth of water | प्लमेट |
| 4 | glut | To fill or satisfy oneself to excess | खुद को भर देना या संतुष्ट करना |
| 4 | thy self | yourself | स्वयं अपने आपको |
| 4 | devour | To eat (something) up greedily or rapidly | (कुछ) लालच से या तेजी से खा जाना |
| 5 | vain | useless | व्यर्थ |
| 6 | dross | Waste or refuse | कचरा या कचरा |
| 7 | loss | The act of losing or being lost | खोने या खो जाने का कार्य |
| 8 | gain | To obtain or procure | प्राप्त करना या खरीदना |
| 9 | entombed | To put into or enclose in a tomb | एक कब्र में डालना या घेरना |
| 10 | consum’d | Destroyed or eaten completely | पूरी तरह से नष्ट या खा लिया गया |
| 11 | Eternity | everlastingness | अनंतकाल |
| 11 | greet | salute | अभिवादन करना |
| 11 | bliss | A state of perfect happiness; great joy | पूर्ण सुख की स्थिति; महान आनंद |
| 13 | Overtake | To catch up with and pass. | पकड़कर और आगे निकल जाना |
| 13 | Flood | A large amount of water that covers an area, especially as a result of heavy rain or a burst dam. | पानी की एक बड़ी मात्रा जो किसी क्षेत्र को ढकती है, खासकर भारी बारिश या बांध के फटने के परिणामस्वरूप। |
| 14 | Sincerely | In a way that expresses true or genuine feelings. | एक तरह से जो सच्ची या वास्तविक भावनाओं को व्यक्त करता है। |
| 15 | Divine | Of or relating to God or gods; sacred. | भगवान या देवताओं से संबंधित या संबंधित; पवित्र। |
| 16 | Shine | To emit light or brightness. | प्रकाश या चमक उत्सर्जित करना। |
| 17 | Supreme | Highest in rank, authority, or importance. | रैंक, प्राधिकरण या महत्व में सर्वोच्च। |
| 17 | Throne | The chair or seat of state occupied by a monarch. | एक सम्राट द्वारा कब्जा की गई राज्य की कुर्सी या सीट। |
| 18 | Happy-making | Causing happiness. | खुशी पैदा करना। |
| 19 | Guided | Directed or influenced in a particular course or action. | किसी विशेष पाठ्यक्रम या कार्रवाई में निर्देशित या प्रभावित। |
| 19 | Soul | The immaterial part of a human being or animal, regarded as immortal. | एक मनुष्य या पशु का अमर माना जाने वाला अमूर्त भाग। |
| 19 | Clime | To ascend or climb. | चढ़ना या चढ़ना। |
| 20 | Grossness | The state or quality of being grossly material or indelicate. | स्थूल रूप से भौतिक या अश्लील होने की स्थिति या गुणवत्ता। |
| 21 | Attired | Dressed in a specified way. | एक निर्दिष्ट तरीके से तैयार किया गया। |
| 21 | Stars | Celestial bodies that emit light and heat. | आकाशीय पिंड जो प्रकाश और गर्मी उत्सर्जित करते हैं। |
| 22 | Triumphing | victory | विजय |
| 22 | thee | you | तुमको |
Summary
The poem “On Time” by John Milton contemplates the nature of time and its impact on human existence. The poet urges time to continue its course until it reaches its end, describing the hours as slow and heavy. The poet criticizes the pursuit of false and vain things, emphasizing their transient nature. The loss attributed to time is deemed minimal, while the gain is considered equally insignificant.
The poem takes a turn towards hope as it envisions a moment when all negativity and selfishness, including the consuming nature of time itself, will be overcome. Eternity is personified as greeting happiness with a unique kiss, and joy is anticipated to overwhelm like a flood. The vision extends to a state where everything sincerely good and divine, characterized by truth, peace, and love, will shine eternally around a supreme throne.
The conclusion depicts a transcendent state where the soul, guided by heavenly forces, ascends, leaving behind earthly impurities. The imagery of being adorned with stars symbolizes a timeless and celestial existence. The poem concludes triumphantly, envisioning humanity sitting forever, triumphant over death, chance, and the constraints of time.
Key Points
Author The poem was written by John Milton, a renowned English poet and intellectual who lived during the 17th century.
Form “On Time” by John Milton is a single-stanza poem made up of twenty-two lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABABCDDCEEFFGGHHIIJKKJ. The pattern continues in this manner throughout the poem. The structure and rhyme scheme contribute to the rhythm and flow of the poem, enhancing its overall impact.
Speaker The speaker in the poem is the poet himself, John Milton.
Setting The setting of the poem is not explicitly stated, but it can be inferred that the poem takes place in a metaphysical realm where the speaker is contemplating the nature of time.
Theme The main theme of the poem is the futility of time and its ultimate insignificance in the face of eternity.
Plot The speaker begins the poem by addressing Time, wishing it to speed up, consume all the negativity in the world, and then destroy itself. If this could happen, the human race would finally be happy.
Tone The tone of the poem is contemplative and philosophical, with the speaker musing on the nature of time and its impact on human life.
Style The poem is characterized by its use of metaphors, imagery, and symbolism, making it both powerful and accessible.
Message The central message of the poem is that time is a precious commodity that should be used wisely, and that we should make the most of the time we have. The poem also conveys the idea that in the grand scheme of eternity, time is insignificant.
John Milton
Birth and Early Life: John Milton was born in 1608 in London, England. He was the second of three children..
Education: Milton was educated at home by private tutors until he went to Christ’s College, Cambridge, at age 16. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1629, and received his Master of Arts degree in 1632.
Marriage: Milton was married three times. His first wife, Mary Powell, died in 1652, just three years after their marriage. He then married Katherine Woodcock in 1656, who died in 1658. His third wife was Elizabeth Minshull, whom he married in 1663.
Works: Milton’s works are known for their grandeur, stateliness, and majesty. His use of blank verse, unrhymed iambic pentameter, is a testament to his skill as a poet. His most famous works include “Paradise Lost”, “Paradise Regained”, and “Samson Agonistes”.
Career: Milton is best known for his epic poem “Paradise Lost”. He also wrote other significant works like “Paradise Regained” and “Samson Agonistes”. Besides being a poet, Milton was also a civil servant for the Commonwealth of England under Oliver Cromwell.
Death: Milton died on November 8, 1674.
Legacy: Milton’s influence on English literature and language is profound. His epic poem “Paradise Lost” is considered one of the greatest works of literature. He is remembered for his defense of civil and political rights, and his views on divorce and freedom of the press were revolutionary for his time.
Very Short Answer Questions
Who is the author of the poem “On Time”?
John Milton.
What is the central theme of the poem “On Time”?
The central theme of the poem is the concept of time and its impact on human life.
How does the speaker in the poem view time?
The speaker views time as an entity that is troubling for humans.
What does the speaker wish for time to do?
The speaker wishes for time to speed up, consume all the negativity in the world, and then destroy itself.
What does the speaker believe will happen once time has consumed itself?
The speaker believes that once time has consumed itself, the human race would finally be happy.
What is the structure of the poem “On Time”?
The poem is a twenty-two-line, single-stanza poem which follows a consistent pattern of alternating groups of four lines.
What is the rhyming pattern of the poem “On Time”?
The rhyming pattern of the poem is ABABCDDCEEFFGGHHIIJKKJ.
What does the speaker believe will happen when time is extinguished?
The speaker believes that when time is extinguished, a truly utopian world will exist.
What does the speaker believe will happen when humans conquer “Death,” “Time,” and “Chance”?
The speaker believes that when humans conquer “Death,” “Time,” and “Chance,” they will be living as if God had come to Earth.
What does the speaker mean by “Then long Eternity shall greet our bliss With an individual kiss”?
The speaker means that when time ends, humans will enter a state of eternal happiness.
What is the speaker’s attitude towards time in the poem?
The speaker’s attitude towards time is one of contempt and challenge.
How does the speaker personify time in the poem?
The speaker personifies time as an envious entity that can fly or run away.
What does the speaker suggest about the nature of time?
The speaker suggests that time is a precious commodity that should be used wisely.
What does the speaker mean by “And glut thy self with what thy womb devours”?
The speaker is suggesting that time consumes everything, even itself.
What does the speaker mean by “So little is our loss, So little is thy gain”?
The speaker is suggesting that what time takes from us is insignificant, and what it gains is also insignificant.
What does the speaker mean by “Then all this Earthy grosnes quit, Attir’d with Stars, we shall for ever sit”?
The speaker is suggesting that when time ends, humans will leave behind all earthly concerns and will exist in a heavenly state.
What does the speaker mean by “Triumphing over Death, and Chance, and thee O Time”?
The speaker is suggesting that in the end, humans will triumph over death, chance, and time.
What is the speaker’s view of eternity in the poem?
The speaker views eternity as a state of bliss and joy, where truth, peace, and love shine.
What does the speaker mean by “When every thing that is sincerely good And perfectly divine, With Truth, and Peace, and Love shall ever shine”?
The speaker is suggesting that in the state of eternity, everything that is good and divine, along with truth, peace, and love, will shine forever.
What is the speaker’s view of the relationship between humans and time?
The speaker views the relationship between humans and time as one of struggle, with humans ultimately triumphing over time.
Short Answer Questions
1. Why has the poet pitted the flight of Time against the ‘lazy leaden-stepping hours’ and ‘the heavy Plummets pace’?
The poet, John Milton, uses the phrase ‘lazy leaden-stepping hours’ and ‘the heavy Plummets pace’ to depict the slow and relentless passage of time. This contrast between the flight of Time and the slow pace of hours serves to emphasize the inexorable and unyielding nature of time. It’s a metaphorical way to express how time seems to move slowly yet is unstoppable.
2. What are the things associated with the temporal and what are associated with the eternal?
In the poem “On Time”, the things associated with the temporal include the ‘leaden-stepping hours’, ‘heavy Plummets pace’, and the ‘womb’ that devours all, which are all symbols of the fleeting and transient nature of earthly life. On the other hand, the eternal is associated with ‘long Eternity’, ‘Truth’, ‘Peace’, ‘Love’, the ‘supreme Throne’, and the ‘heav’nly-guided soul’. These represent the everlasting and divine aspects of existence.
3. What guides human souls towards divinity? Who is the final winner in the race against Time?
According to the poem, it is the ‘heav’nly-guided soul’ that guides human souls towards divinity. The final winner in the race against Time, as per the poem, is the human soul. The poem concludes with the lines ‘Triumphing over Death, and Chance, and thee O Time’, indicating that it is the human soul, guided towards divinity and eternity, that ultimately triumphs over Time.
Essay Type Questions
Q. Write the critical appreciation of the poem?
Introduction
“On Time” is a profound poem penned by the celebrated English poet, John Milton. The poem delves into the concept of time and its impact on human existence.
Structure, Form, and Rhyme Scheme
The poem is structured as a single stanza consisting of twenty-two lines. It follows a consistent pattern of alternating groups of four lines, which adds a rhythmic quality to the poem. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABABCDDCEEFFGGHHIIJKKJ, which further enhances the musicality of the poem.
Theme
The central theme of the poem is the relentless march of time and its implications for human life. The speaker in the poem views time as a troubling entity and expresses a desire for time to hasten its pace, consume all the negativity in the world, and ultimately destroy itself.
Imagery
The poem is rich in imagery, with the speaker personifying time as an envious entity that can fly or run away. This personification of time brings the abstract concept to life, making it more tangible and relatable for the reader.
Poetic Devices
Milton employs a variety of poetic devices in “On Time”. Personification is used to depict time as an entity capable of action. Metaphor is used to compare time to an envious entity. Alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds, is used to create rhythm and mood. For instance, in the line “Fly envious Time, till thou run out thy race”, the repetition of the ‘t’ sound creates a rhythmic effect.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “On Time” by John Milton is a thought-provoking exploration of the concept of time. Through its rich imagery, personification, and philosophical undertones, the poem encourages readers to reflect on the nature of time and its impact on human life. The poem’s timeless theme and masterful use of poetic devices make it a classic piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
