Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour by William Wordsworth - Explanation

Wordsworth remembers John Milton, the famed Puritan literary master who is also known as "man of thought" during his age. The poet believes that England, his country is in dire need of Milton at the time. England has become "a fen of stagnant waters" It has lost all her ancient glory and inherent joy. Britons have become selfish and immoral.

He pleads with Milton to return to his motherland and instill the old virtuous temperament in people in again. He praises Milton and calls his soul "a star" who lives far from the material people of England. His voice was majestic and magnanimous like the sea (simile).

According to Wordsworth, Milton's voice is pure and unusual. Despite being a special person he is, Milton still walked and lived among common men in his pious way. He pulled the duty of reforming British people on himself.