London, 1802
By William Wordsworth
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.
Summary of “London, 1802”
- The Poem’s Essence: “London, 1802” is a poignant 14‑line lyric by William Wordsworth that expresses a longing for the presence of the great poet John Milton in a period the speaker sees as morally and culturally bankrupt. It is a lament for lost virtues and a plea for a figure of strength and principle to restore England’s former glory.
- Central Idea: The poem argues that England has slipped into stagnation and selfishness, desperately needing the guidance and moral compass of someone like Milton. Wordsworth contrasts the present with an idealized past, suggesting a decline in national character and the loss of authentic happiness.
- Key Context: Written in 1802, amid political and social upheaval, the poem reflects anxieties about England’s direction after the Napoleonic Wars and during the early stages of the Industrial Revolution. Wordsworth’s admiration for Milton, author of Paradise Lost, goes beyond literary appreciation; Milton represents a model of republican virtue, intellectual rigor, and unwavering moral conviction.
In-Depth Analysis of “London, 1802”
Exploring the Opening Lines and the Metaphor of Stagnation
The poem’s opening line immediately sets its central plea: “Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour.” This is not a wistful longing but an urgent cry for help. The following lines intensify that urgency by depicting England as a “fen of stagnant waters.” The metaphor extends beyond the physical landscape; it symbolizes the moral and spiritual decay that Wordsworth sees. A fen—a marshy, lowland—conveys a lack of vitality, progress, and purification. The “altar, sword, and pen,” representing religion, military power, and intellectual discourse, all seem implicated in this stagnation. They have “forfeited their ancient English dower of inward happiness,” a lost inheritance that once belonged to England but has now been squandered. Wordsworth argues that these institutions, once sources of strength and fulfillment, have failed to provide the nation with true happiness.
The Critique of Contemporary Society
The line “We are selfish men” delivers a blunt indictment of contemporary society. Wordsworth does not shy away from acknowledging the moral failings of his time. The plea for Milton to “raise us up” reflects a profound sense of national weakness and a yearning for strong leadership. Asking Milton to bestow “manners, virtue, freedom, power” underscores the qualities Wordsworth believes England has lost. He is not merely asking for political or military strength; he seeks a restoration of moral and ethical principles.
Portrait of Milton: A Shining Example
The second stanza shifts to a glorification of Milton himself. Wordsworth paints a portrait of Milton as a figure of exceptional moral and spiritual stature. The simile “Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart” immediately establishes Milton’s otherworldliness and distance from ordinary concerns. A star is a source of light and guidance, suggesting that Milton’s influence could illuminate England’s darkness. The comparison of Milton’s voice to “the sea” emphasizes its power, majesty, and vastness—a voice that commands attention and inspires awe.
Milton’s Character and Humble Virtue
Lines such as “Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free” further highlight Milton’s transcendent qualities. He embodies freedom, both in his poetic style and in his intellectual and moral independence. Yet Wordsworth does not portray Milton as aloof or arrogant. The lines “So didst thou travel on life’s common way, / In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart / The lowliest duties on herself did lay” reveal remarkable humility. Despite extraordinary gifts and achievements, Milton remained grounded and committed to serving others. This combination of strength and humility is precisely what Wordsworth believes England needs.
Examining Literary and Poetic Devices
- Allusion: The poem centers on an allusion to John Milton, a celebrated figure in English literature and a symbol of republican virtue. Understanding Milton’s life and work is essential to fully appreciating the poem’s meaning.
- Apostrophe: The direct address to Milton (“Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour”) is an example of apostrophe, a figure of speech in which a speaker addresses an absent person or an inanimate object.
- Simile: The poem employs striking similes, such as “Thy soul was like a Star” and “Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea,” to enhance imagery and emphasize Milton’s exceptional qualities.
- Metaphor: The image of England as a “fen of stagnant waters” is a powerful metaphor representing the nation’s moral and spiritual decay.
- Imagery: Wordsworth uses vivid imagery throughout the poem, evoking sensory experiences that leave a lasting impression on the reader.
- Enjambment: Enjambment—where a phrase continues onto the next line without punctuation—creates a sense of flow and momentum, mirroring the natural rhythm of speech.
- Form: The poem consists of 14 lines, structured in a loose sonnet form. While it does not follow a strict rhyme scheme, the line count gives it the weight of a sonnet and lends structure to Wordsworth’s argument.
Quotes for Discussion and Analysis
“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.”
This passage beautifully captures Wordsworth’s admiration for Milton, highlighting his exceptional character, spiritual depth, and unwavering commitment to virtue.
“London, 1802” remains a potent and relevant poem, offering a timeless critique of societal decay and a compelling plea for moral and ethical leadership. Its enduring power lies in its lyrical beauty, profound insights, and unwavering belief in the transformative power of human virtue.