1663.] OF THE MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. 259 



It is dedicated to Charles the Second, and also to both 

 Houses of Parliament; in addressing the latter he 

 expresses himself as being &quot; by the Act of the Water- 

 commanding Engine (which so cheerfully you have 

 passed) sufficiently rewarded ;&quot; and as the work bears 

 date on the title page, 1663, it must have been published 

 after the passing of the Act, in May, that year. This 

 edition, only duodecimo size, consisting of 98 pages, is 

 now very scarce, but it has been frequently reprinted. 

 This small volume was most likely only intended for 

 private distribution, particularly among members of 



Here scenic splendour and rich art outshone 

 All Orreries to modern science known ! 



A new variety, in number vast, 

 Of ever-changing forms before him pass d : 

 Not Proteus self could with their antics cope, 

 Nor modern scenes of gay Kaleidoscope : 

 Their graceful symmetry and rainbow-hues 

 A rapt rous wonder o er his mind diffuse ! 



To vary these abstruse artistic scenes, 

 There pass d along a group of fresh machines ; 

 Many there were that in these days impart 

 Essential aid to various schemes of art : 

 One was a globe buoy d by a crystal well, 

 Which night or day the passing hour could tell, 

 With the elapsing minutes, seconds too ; 

 And, like the dial, to the heaven true ; 

 The famed Clepsydra, in its artifice, 

 Was but a bauble when compared with this ! 



Martial designs came next, in size immense, 

 Adapted for attack, and for defence : 



* * * * 



To crown these shows of wonder and delight, 

 A BEING rose of superhuman might : 



* * * * * 



At every motion from his nostrils came 

 A mounting vap rous breath like subtle flame ! 

 At once it beam d on Worcester s mental eye, 

 That STEAM alone might this great power supply 

 And lo ! as twere this thought to realize, 

 He saw it, fuming, from vast cauldron rise ; 

 From whence this prodigy his spirit drew, 

 Achieving thus what met the wondering view ! 



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