# The Power of Steam explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James McIntyre.

## What happens

This chapter celebrates the transformative power of steam technology, personifying a steam engine as a tireless and efficient 'steam horse' that replaces traditional animal labor with industrial might.

## Themes in this chapter

### Progress and Technology

The chapter glorifies steam power as a prodigious force, highlighting technological advancement over traditional methods.

## Key lines

> We now do sing a new theme, It is prodigious power of steam;

We celebrate a new subject: the immense power of steam.

_Introduces the central theme of steam's might._

> Instead of hay and oats, we thrust In his mouth chips and saw dust;

Instead of feeding the engine hay and oats, we give it wood chips and sawdust.

_Contrasts the fuel of a steam engine with that of a horse._

> He’s never troubled with the botts, But all the time he gaily trotts,

It never suffers from horse ailments, and it cheerfully runs all the time.

_Emphasizes the reliability and cheerfulness of the steam engine._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/the-power-of-steam
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters