That of Pearls, That of Wisdom

Peace be still, strike thy pose Epitome of eloquence, footsteps of the queen Pearls of wisdom, solemn portrait Position thy hat, attend to thy shirt, that of satin, that of lace Family ties, adornment to each All is well with thee, obedience calls – o’ child be seen, be not heard Be seated; be still, thou shalt not be disturbed Workhouses – be deterred, apprentice house preferred Sacrificial morning, make way to the pit A revolution of demand, provisions of coal, of iron, of copper, deposits of old What sayeth thee? We shall supply! As pitheads wind, so miners grind Seek and follow, tunnels be low – passages of the great Toil dawneth on me, forty winks be yearned As we flock to the town Of craftsmen, of blacksmiths, tailors assist Technology equips, shoe last o’ stiff Fine fettles are thee, inventions surpass Full steam ahead! Country be lead. Of sheets, of rolls, printing amass Fortunes be stirred, households back to back Our cast-iron range, warmth to thy home Fresh statuses arise, relieve former ties Ambition abound, middle class be found Boil water on the range, afore we bath Of fresh produce, of luscious game, black pudding o’ delight Shilling be spent, fill up thy churn Horses’ clod on cobbled streets, ploughed fields, farmer’s relief Leg thy narrow boat, steam locomotive, cut short thy duration Better to tow, canal bank astride The Victorian age, of history, of pride Written by Geraldine Taylor ©