Erasmus Darwin

Steam Power

SOON shall thy arm, UNCONQUER’D STEAM! afar 
Drag the slow barge, or drive the rapid car; 
Or on wide-waving wings expanded bear 
The flying-chariot through the fields of air. —
Fair crews triumphant, leaning from above, 
Shall wave their fluttering kerchiefs as they move; 
Or warrior-bands alarm the gaping crowd, 
And armies shrink beneath the shadowy cloud.

The Economy of Vegetation, i, 1793