405. The Same

William Wordsworth (1770—1850)

  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:

  O! 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.