Genre:

Poetry

Subjects:

Military Technology, Government, Politics, War, Nationalism

    Another response to the government drive to arm the Royal Navy with ironclads. Describes how Vulcan forged for Taurus (John Bull in disguise) 'a plate / Whose strength might scorn the thunder-bolt of fate' and armour 'worthy of the ocean-king'. Notes how Taurus departed believing that 'war was foolish and expensive' but thought that he was right to defend 'His loved Britannia'. Describes how Taurus was then clad in 'Iron Arms' by the 'Nereids of the deep', after which he defies anybody to approach him.