London, 1802
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.
William Wordsworth, (1770-1850)
United States, 2024
Lincoln! you should be living at this hour:
The States have need of you: she is a mire
Of stagnant waters: altar, guns, and liars.
Screen-side, we witness lost gains from word and power
Forfeited, too, our Founders’ blood-shed dower
Of inward happiness. These are selfish men;
O raise us up, return to us again,
And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power!
Your soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart;
You had a voice whose sound was like the sea:
Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free,
So did you travel on life’s common way,
In painful depression; and yet your heart
The most profound duties on yourself did lay.
After-Poem by Kathleen O’Reilly (July 2024) A Street SE
