Explore "The Present Time" by James McIntyre on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
1890.
This is no age for mystery, / But full of eventful history;
Not a time for stupid dreaming, / When the lightning it is gleaming.
A brighter light doth now surpass, / And throws in shade once favored gas;
Now it is not an idle dream, / Predicting greater power than steam.
But perhaps it is not wise / For us to philosophise, / As we might get in water deep, / Or find a hill for us too steep.
Some think it is almost a crime / To write a simple kind of rhyme / That every one can understand;
They love a style is lofty, grand.
Which no one can comprehend;
Without beginning or an end, / And if it only is obscure, / To them it is a proof full sure.
The authors have a mighty mind, / And to philosophy inclined;
They adore the metaphysical, / And humble thoughts do them appal.
But though our style it may seem rude, / We love for to be understood;
And though we have no skill nor art, / We hope to reach some honest heart.
Our old style walk will soon he gone, / In place of wood wo will have stone;
And water works from lofty tower / Blessings on the town will shower.