Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LONDON, 1802 (2), by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LONDON, 1802 (2), by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Milton! Thou shouldst be living at this hour
Last Line: The lowliest duties on herself did lay.
Variant Title(s): Ideal;to Milton;london, 1802
Subject(s): Freedom; Milton, John (1608-1674); Liberty


MILTON! thou shouldst be living at this hour:
England hath need of thee: she is a fen
Of stagnant waters: altar, sword, and pen,
Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower,
Have forfeited their ancient English dower
Of inward happiness. We are selfish men;
Oh! raise us up, return to us again;
And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power.
Thy soul was like a star, and dwelt apart:
Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea:
Pure as the naked heavens. majestic, free,
So didst thou travel on life's common way,
In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart
The lowliest duties on herself did lay.




Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net