Note 49 — Chapter II · ENGLISH SATIRE FROM DRYDEN TO BYRON
Reading edition
It was the era described by Wordsworth in his sonnets Written in London, 1802, and London, 1802, the last beginning,
“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.”