Question

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 lifes common way,
in cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart
what does the personification \she is a fen of stagnant waters\ used in lines 2 - 3 mean?

1. nature can be beautiful as well as destructive and harmful.
2. excessive rain has threatened englands ability to fulfill its destiny.
3. englands many problems prevent it from progressing as a nation.
4. freedom requires examining ones faults and taking steps to improve.

Explanation:

In the poem, "she" refers to England. "A fen of stagnant waters" is a metaphor for a place that is not moving forward, full of problems (like a stagnant fen has no fresh - flowing water). It implies that England is in a state where it is not progressing as a nation due to various issues.

Answer:

1. England's many problems prevent it from progressing as a nation.