London, 1802

The dominant theme of “London, 1802” is that England at the turn of the 19th century is in a state of serious political, social, and cultural decay. While Milton and his time represent an era of vigorous public service and an attempt to effect real and fundamental political and social change, the Englishmen of the speaker’s day have lapsed into being self-centered and inert: “We are selfish men” (Line 6), the speaker laments. This supposed “selfish[ness]” stands in marked contrast to the active service and political engagement that defined Milton’s life and writing, and it is this selfishness which has in turn led to the total stagnation from which England now suffers: the speaker claims England is reduced to being “a fen [bog or marsh] / Of stagnant waters” (Line 2-3) instead of pulsing with worthwhile activity. What is more, the current state of England represents an outright betrayal of the kind of country Milton and his peers once strove to create, as the speaker accuses his contemporaries of giving up “their ancient English dower [inheritance] / Of inward happiness” (Lines 5-6). In giving up striving for virtuous public service, contemporary Englishmen have lost the “inward happiness” (Line 6) that should be both their birthright and their reward for emulating men like Milton.