WHAT THE STEAM ENGINE DOES.

I’ll tell you what the steam engine does: -
It rows, it sculls, it propels, it screws,
It lifts, it lowers, it warps, it tows,
It drains, it ploughs, it reaps, it mows,
It pumps, it bores, it irrigates,
It dredges, it digs, it excavates,
It pulls, it pushes, it draws, it drives,
It splints, it planes, it saws, it rives,
It carries, scatters, collects, and brings –
It blows, it puffs, it halts, it springs,
It breaks, condensed, opens and shuts –
It picks, it drills, it hammers, it cuts,
It shovels, it washed, mixed and grinds –
It crushes, it sifts, it bolts, it binds,
It threshes, winnows, punches and kneads,
It moulds, it stamps, it presses, it feeds,
It rakes, it scrapes, it bores, it shaves,
It runs on land, it rides on waves,
It mortices, forges, rolls and rasps –
It polishes, rivets, files, and clasps –
It brushes, scotches, cards and spins,
It puts out fires, and papers pins;
It weaves, it winds, it twists, it throws,
It stands, it lies, it comes, it goes,
It slits, it turns, it shears, it hews,
It coins, it prints – ay, prints the news;
Our Herald to its magic owes
The speed with which o’er earth it goes –
With our half-million on the wing.
Of what steam does, we well may sing.