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Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour:Milton! Thou Shouldst Be Living At This Hour
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.
Milton! you should be alive right now: England needs you: she is a swamp Of still waters: altar, sword, and pen, The fireside, the great wealth of homes and places, Have lost their ancient English gift Of inner happiness. We are selfish people; Oh! lift us up, come back to us again; And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power. Your soul was like a star, and lived separately: You had a voice whose sound was like the sea: Clear as the bare sky, grand, and free, So you traveled on life's ordinary path, In joyful godliness; and yet your heart Took on the simplest duties for itself.