The Wansbeck Railway

Long have we lived from noise remote;
Each happy in his humble cot;
But now the news is all afloat,
    ‘Tis rail and steam.
Our Baronet has the battle fought,
    All praise to him.

“Have you a share,” now some will say;
Or “have you heard the news to-day;
They’re off to parliament straightway,
    With cunning tact.
And with the help of M.P. Gray,
They’ll get an act.”

We might oppose some magic art,
Had in this railway taken part,
Had laid the rails, and puff and dart,
    Came whistling by.
And people were on the alert,
    With hue and cry.

The thund’ring train, with wonted speed,
Comes rushing from Wansbeck to Reed:
And nothing could its course impede;
Or power assail:
Disturbing peaceful herds that feed,
    In Wansbeck’s vale.
But, be it false, or be it true;
If that a railway passes through,
A great and lasting good ‘twill do,    
Without a doubt.
For things that may then be brought to view
    That have been sought.

For there are lands for ages past,
Have little been but barren waste;
But open out their peaceful breast,
    And show their pride.
And who can tell what treasures rest,
    Near Simonside?

Then, let us one and all combine,
To forward this intended line,
And may our worthy Baronet shine,
    For favours past.
And when his day seems to decline.
    May he be blest.