"London 1802"

  "London, 1802" is a poem written by William Wordsworth speaking of his experience in London. Wordsworth longed to be in nature and far from major cities like London. In his poem, Wordsworth talks to the dead poet John Milton, who lived from 1608-1674, saying that England needs him because it has changed greatly from when he was alive. Wordsworth goes on to state that London is filled with people who have lost what was so good about the city. He goes on to describe the city as "stagnant waters" and that the people living there are selfish and corrupt.

  In this poem you can really feel Wordsworth's disgust and sadness for what the city of London became in the time that he was there. Being one who never cared much for being in a city environment, seeing this city made him love nature even more.

Milton! thou shouldest be living at this hour:

England hath need of thee: she is a fen 

Of stagnant waters: alter, 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 they thy heart 

The lowliest duties on herself did lay.