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LINES 4-6 altar, sword, and pen, Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower, Have forfeited their ancient English dower Of inward happiness. Having established that England is no longer making meaningful progress, the speaker next lists all the ways in which the country has lost touch with its former greatness. First, the speaker suggests that the country's religious devotion is in decline, using the word "altar" as a metonymto refer to religion as a whole. Considering that Wordsworth was a Romantic poet whose religious beliefs were intertwined with a deep appreciation of nature, it makes sense that the speaker criticizes the state of religion during the Industrial Revolution, a time during which society focused on mechanical and technological advancements instead of connecting with the natural world. Going on, the speaker employs other metonyms, using the word "sword" to stand for England's military and "pen" to refer to the state of the country's literary output. In this way, the speaker suggests that the fundamental pillars that often make nations successful have become weak in England at the turn of the 19th century. This statement comes immediately after the metaphor outlining that England has become "stagnant." To break it down in plain language, then, the speaker maintains that religion, militaristic pursuits, and literature have ceased all progress in England—a viewpoint that aligns with the Romantic belief that England is in decline despite its technological advancements. The idea that "altar, sword, and pen" have come to a standstill is made evident by the fact that this list appears after a colon in the middle of line 3, suggesting that all three of these are examples of the ways in which England has become a "fen" of "stagnant waters." The speaker also expands upon this idea in lines 4-6 by upholding that England has given up its economic power. Using "fireside" to refer to the country's average domestic situation, the speaker argues that home life in England is no longer characterized by the "heroic wealth" that used to be recognizable in citizens' impressive, respectable homes ("hall and bower"). That the speaker calls the riches of the past "heroic" is especially illustrative, since this phrase frames England's economic history as not only wealthy, but illustrious and inspiring. Consequently, the speaker reveals a strong nostalgia for the past. It is perhaps because of this affinity for the past that the speaker develops a disparaging tone, suggesting that England hasn't simply lost its former glory, but "forfeited" it. This implies that the nation has actively given up the values that (according to the speaker) have always made it powerful and admirable. Worse, this means that the people of England have relinquished their capacity to experience personal happiness, which should come naturally to them simply because they are citizens of a country with a rich, respectable history. It is this history, the speaker argues, from which citizens should benefit, since they have inherited it like a husband who collects a dowry after marrying a wealthy bride. Unfortunately, though, the speaker believes that the people of England have lost touch with the past and, thus, made it impossible for themselves to benefit from the country's otherwise rewarding history.