 | Jones Very : The Complete Poems |  |
344
On The Completion Of The Pacific Telegraph
Swift to the western bounds of this wide land,Swifter than light, the Electric Message flies;
The continent is in a moment spanned,
And furthest West to furthest East replies.
While War asunder drives the nearest states,
And doth to them all intercourse deny,
Science new bonds of Union still creates,
And the most distant brings forever nigh!
I hail this omen for our Country's cause;
For it the stars do in their courses fight!
In vain men strive against the eternal laws
Of Peace, and Liberty, and Social Right;
Rebel against the light; and hope to stay
The dawn on earth of Freedom's perfect day.
Poem No. 454; c. 5 November 1861
| Jones Very : The Complete Poems | |