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...HOMAGE TO SEXTUS PROPERTIUS: 4. DIFFERENCE OF OPINION WITH LYGDAMUS by EZRA POUND A DAY DREAM by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE THE VALLEY OF UNREST (2) by EDGAR ALLAN POE THE HINT O' HAIRST by HEW AINSLIE ANOTHER REAPER by WILLIAM H. ARMSTRONG III LINES TO SAMUEL ROGERS IN WALES ON EVE OF BASTILLE DAY 1791 by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |