Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE STEAM-ENGINE: CANTO 9: GREAT WESTERN DAYS, by T. BAKER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE STEAM-ENGINE: CANTO 9: GREAT WESTERN DAYS, by                    
First Line: Triumphant was the burst of rapt'rous joy
Last Line: Short time for greeting, none at all for war.
Subject(s): Railroads; Railways; Trains


TRIUMPHANT was the burst of rapt'rous joy
That hail'd our HERO'S young victorious BOY,
The great opponent of both time and space,
Brave young ACHILLES, chief of all his race,
When in the pride of his paternal strength,
With splendid train of more than civic length,
He first by Thames in all his pomp was seen,
His triumph graced by Britain's virtuous Queen,
By prince, by senators, and lords of state,
With minds replete with skill to legislate,
Journeying for pleasure, or their wish'd-for home,
Or regal Windsor's high embattled dome;
While merchant, agriculturist, alderman,
And every grade, from peer to artizan,
The knowing sage, the clown devoid of thought,
By casual conflux there together brought,
Were borne with more than e'en the fabled speed
Of famed Arabian prophet's flying steed. ...
Ajax pursues, but not his friend to gain,
An equal distance still divides each train;
Hector is met by both, their speed at par,
Short time for greeting, none at all for war.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net