Rudyard Kipling

Time and Space decreed his lot,
  But little Man was quick to note:
When Time and Space said Man might not,
  Bravely he answered, "Nay! I mote."

I looked on old New England.
  Time and Space stood fast.
Men built altars to Distance
  At every mile they passed.

Yet sleek with oil, a Force was hid
Making mock of all they did,
Ready at the appointed hour
  To yield up to Prometheus
The secular and well-drilled Power
  The Gods secreted thus.

And over high Wantastiquet
  Emulous my lightnings ran,
Unregarded but afret,
   To fall in with my plan.

I beheld two ministries,
  One of air and one of earth --
At a thought I married these,
  And my New Age came to birth!

For rarely my purpose errs
  Though oft it seems to pause,
And rods and cylinders
  Obey my planets' laws.

Oil I drew from the well,
  And Franklin's spark from its blue;
Time and Distance fell,
  And Man went forth anew.

On the prairie and in the street
  So long as my chariots roll
I bind wings to Adam's feet,
  And, presently, to his soul!