Poem of the Week: "London, 1802" by William Wordsworth
The Romantics always gave Milton his proper credit, both as the greatest English poet, and an important, even heroic, political voice for liberty and republicanism. Here is a still radical Wordsworth in "London, 1802":
London, 1802
Milton! thou should'st 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.
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Great Poem
Wordsworth is always an enjoyable read. It’s a powerful tribute to Milton. The romantics are one of my favorite units to cover with my senior english class.
by lordbyronk on May 2, 2008 1:30 PM EDT 0 recs
Gotta love, William...
Good stuff….
Tell 'em a hookah smoking caterpillar
Has given you the call. "
by grudz96 on May 4, 2008 12:34 AM EDT 0 recs









