Introduction

Abstract

For I dipt into lite future, Jar as human eye could see, Saw the Vision of the world, and all the wonder that would be; Saw the heavens fill with commerce, argosies of magic sails, Pilots of the purple twilight dropping down with costly bales; Heard the heavens Jill with shouting, and there rain'd a ghastly dew From tile nations ‘airy navies grappling in the central blue; Far along the world-wide whisper of tile south-wind rushing warm, With the standards of the peoples plunging thro’ the thunder-storm; Till the war-drum throbb'd no longer, and the battle-flags were furl'd In the Parliament of man, the Federation of the world. There the common sense of most shall hold a fretful realm in awe, And the kindly earth shall slumberapt in universal law.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1842