Full long ere Europe knew the iron road, The 'Railway' thunder'd on our English soil; There was a trembling in the sea-girt isle, Where 'Hercules' or mighty 'Samson' trod, Heavy and swift; for Nature bore our yoke Far earlier than elsewhere: we freed the slave To take the lightning captive; hearts of oak, Of closest grain, the stalwart and the brave, Thrill'd at the touch of science; letters lent Their gentle aid to feed the hungry strength Of British minds with genial nourishment; And still these powers bear rule throughout the length And breadth o' the land. The thought is rife with pride: Perchance the ebb comes next. We stand at full of tide. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LAMB, FR. SONGS OF INNOCENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE ELEGY: 3. CHANGE by JOHN DONNE THE ROAST BEEF OF OLD ENGLAND by HENRY FIELDING THE DREAM OF EUGENE ARAM, THE MURDERER by THOMAS HOOD COMPOSED AT NEIDPATH CASTLE, 1803 by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH THE BIRDS: THE HOOPOE'S CALL TO THE BIRDS by ARISTOPHANES THE MAUSOLEUM by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN HINC LACHRIMAE; OR THE AUTHOR TO AURORA: 18 by WILLIAM BOSWORTH |