Volume 2 — London, 1802
Reading edition
Composed September, 1802.—Published 1807
The Poem
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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. Contents 1802 Main Contents 1 A 5 10
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1820
... itself ... 1807
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Footnote A:
In old English "yet" means "continuously" or "always"; and it is still used in Cumberland with this signification.—Ed.
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Contents 1802 Main Contents