To Mr. Cyriack Skinner Upon His Blindness

[Cyriack Skinner|Cyriack], this three years day these eys, though clear
To outward view, of [blemish] or of spot;
Bereft of light, thir seeing have forgot,
Nor to thir idle [orb]s doth sight appear
Of [Sun] or [Moon] or [Star]re throughout the year,
Or man or woman. Yet I argue not
Against heavns hand or will, nor bate a jot
Of heart or hope; but still [bear up] and steer
Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask?
The [conscience], Friend, to have lost them [overply]'d
In [liberty|libertyes] defence, my noble task,
This thought might lead me through the worlds vain mask
Content though blind, had I no better guide.

[John Milton] is writing to [Cyriack Skinner], who was the grandson of [Sir Edward Coke], who wrote [The Institutes of the Law of England] and served as [Chief Justice] of the [King's Bench]. Skinner had just lost his sight, and Milton, who had been blind or nearly so for quite some time was consoling him about it.

How the now-blind Skinner was supposed to read this [missive] is beyond me.

Sonnet XXII (thing)