Modern Termini

Again we see the obstructive rites decreed —
This time by modern schools, a wrangling lot; —
Each hopes his little god shall do the deed,
The glorious deed — which Terminus did not!
The master lectures, and the pupils quote,
And noise abroad each fire-new theory,
Or stale old sophism. How they rave and dote!
And plant their idols where their Lord should be!
Soon may we say, 'the heathen dream is past!
The worship of these human blocks of stone,
These heirs of Terminus, is failing fast!
By history and reason overthrown;
On their hard fronts the sunrise strikes in vain,
No Memnon-chords have they in all their sorry grain