Lapsus Calami (Aug 1891)/Steam-Launches on the Thames
Steam-Launches on the Thames.
Henley, June 7, 1891.
Shall we, to whom the stream by right belongs,Who travel silent, save, perchance, for songs;Whose track's a ripple,—leaves the Thames a lake,Nor frights the swan—scarce makes the rushes shake;Who harmonize, exemplify, completeAnd vivify a scene already sweet:Who travel careless on, from lock to lock,Oblivious that the world contains a clock,With pace commensurate to our desires,Propelled by other force than Stygian fire's;Shall we be driven hence to leave a placeFor these, who bring upon our stream disgrace:The rush, the roar, the stench, the smoke, the steam,The nightmare striking through our heavenly dream;The scream as shrill and hateful to the earAs when a peacock vents his rage and fear;Which churn to fury all a glassy reach,And heave rude breakers on a pebbly beach:Which half o'erwhelm with waves our frailer craft,While graceless shop-boys chuckle fore and aft:Foul water-toadstools, noisome filth-stained shapes,Fit only to be manned by dogs and apes:Blots upon nature: scars that mar her smile:Obscene, obtrusive, execrable, vile?