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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

William Wordsworth's poem London, 1802 from his Sonnets, gives us a word picture of England from its capital at the turn of the 19th Century. London, 1802 depicts William's yearning to retain the 'best' of the past whilst facing an uncertain future. This is his plea to that earlier poet, Milton, to help portray the nation, having regard to its past. However, this was a dramatic turning point in the social history of England (and of the world). Great changes were underway, scientific and industrial discoveries and inventions were about to break which would shatter the tranquil rustic nature of Rural England, transform the nature of the capital itself, and alter the course of her history.

Sonnets

London, 1802

Milton! thou shouldst 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 yet thy heart
The lowliest duties on herself did lay.

What about a view of London in 1902 from Westminster Bridge . . .?

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