The Portent

From Scotland down to Devon England lay
Immune from war ; her poets of peace did sing.
The labourer sow'd the harvest in the spring
That reapers gather'd in an autumn day :
The cities flourished, richer grew the trades,
E'en Learning proudly leapt into the van ;
Man gendered social dreams for weaker man ;
While lovers woo'd and wedded beauteous maids :
Upon the seas her navy watch did keep
O'er dreams of Commerce, purposes of men—
Sudden across the heavens there did sweep,
Reaching the crowded city, scattered glen,
A flaming meteor that the watchers saw,
Signal of bloody strife, presage of war.