POEM – 5 – THE SECRET OF THE MACHINES

 POEM – 5 – THE SECRET OF THE MACHINES

1. We were taken from the ore-bed and the mine,

We were melted in the furnace and the Pit.

(a) Who does „we‟ refer to ?

„We were refers to the Machines.

(b) Who are the speakers and listeners of this poem ?

(i) Machines are the speakers.

(ii) Human beings are the listeners.

(c) What metals are obtained from ores and mines ?

Metals like iron, copper, lead, gold and silver are obtained from ores and mines.

2. We were cast and wrought and hammered to design,

We were cut and filed and tooled and gauged to fit.

(a) Mention a few machines which are hammered to design.

Machines namely steam engine, the locomotive and iron clad ships were hammered to

design.

(b) What does „filed‟ mean ?

„ Filed „ means rubbed down.

3. And now, if you will set up to our task,

We will serve you four and twenty hours a day !

(a) Who does the pronoun „ you „ refer to here ?

The pronoun „ You‟ refers to human beings.

(b) Whose task is referred to as „Our task „ here ?.

„Our task‟ is referred to the tasks of the machines.

(c) Do the machines serve us twenty four hours a day ?

Yes, the machines serve us twenty four hours a day.