WHAT nudity is beautiful as this Obedient monster purring at its toil; These naked iron muscles dripping oil And the sure-fingered rods that never miss. This long and shining flank of metal is Magic that greasy labor cannot spoil; While this vast engine that could rend the soil Conceals its fury with a gentle hiss. It does not vent its loathing, does not turn Upon its makers with destroying hate. It bears a deeper malice; lives to earn Its master's bread and laughs to see this great Lord of the earth, who rules but cannot learn, Become the slave of what his slaves create. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FIVE STUDENTS by THOMAS HARDY SONNET WRITTEN IN THE FALL OF 1914: 1 by GEORGE EDWARD WOODBERRY PERFECT WOMAN by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH HE MOURNS FOR THE CHANGE THAT HAS COME UPON HIM AND BELOVED by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS THE LIP AND THE HEART by JOHN QUINCY ADAMS |