Classic Poem

The great Exchanges press each other's heels,
Like the swift seasons or the swifter moons,
All Europe through — and every nation feels
This kindly intercourse the best of boons;
The paths of peace and commerce, from all sides,
Lie straight for England, like old Roman ways;
Hither the railway brawls, the steamboat glides,
The desert-ship is steer'd, the sledge-dog bays!
Brought to the coast, and then disburthen'd there,
The o'erladen camel's spongy foot springs home
To its old span, while with a witless stare
He eyes the sea-board and the barks that come
To float his burthen off to the world's Fair:
The dog returns in snowy wilds to roam.