Opening Quote

“For I dipt into the future, far 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 fill with shouting, and there rain’d a ghastly dew From the nations’ airy navies grappling in the central blue; Far along the world-wide whisper of the 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 slumber, lapt in universal law.” Tennyson: Locksley Hall.

“For I looked into the future, as far as human eyes could see. I saw a vision of the world, and all the wonders yet to come. I saw the skies fill with trade, great fleets with magical sails, Their pilots sailing through the purple twilight, coming down with costly cargo. I heard the skies fill with shouting, and a ghastly dew rained down From nations’ aerial fleets locked in battle in the heart of the blue sky. Far across the world, the warm south wind rushed with a whisper, While the nations’ flags plunged through the thunderstorm. At last the war drums fell silent, and the battle flags were rolled up In the Parliament of humanity, the Federation of the world. There the common sense of the majority will keep a restless realm in check. And the gentle earth will sleep, wrapped in universal law.” Tennyson: Locksley Hall.