Genre:

Poetry, Drollery

Subjects:

Telegraphy, Engineering, Accidents, Comparative Philology, Internationalism, War, Commerce, Industry

    Begins with Neptune chastising his 'mischievous maidens' for swinging on the cable and then explaining why 'that rope in the sea hath been cast'. He explains that the cable is a 'link of electric connection' that will 'strengthen each of affection' between the 'New World and the Old' and thus prevent any further 'fuming or fighting'. He adds that it will also 'tighten' commercial connections, 'lighten' burdensome industry, and 'make freer Free Trade'. Since the cable will also vanquish 'Doubt, distrust, envy, hatred, and malice' and foster peace and goodwill, he urges his mermaids to avoid it.