Prophecy of a Ten Ton Cheese

In presenting this delicate, dainty morsel to the imagination of the people, I believed that it could be realized. I viewed the machine that turned and raised the mamoth cheese, and saw the powerful machine invented by James Ireland at the West Oxford companies factory to turn the great and fine cheese he was making there. This company with but little assistance could produce a ten ton cheese.

Who hath prophetic vision sees

In future times a ten ton cheese,

Several companies could join

To furnish curd for great combine

More honor far than making gun

Of mighty size and many a ton.

Machine it could be made with ease

That could turn this monster cheese,

The greatest honour to our land

Would be this orb of finest brand,

Three hundred curd they would need squeeze

For to make this mammoth cheese.

So British lands could confederate

Three hundred provinces in one state,

When all in harmony agrees

To be pressed in one like this cheese,

Then one skillful hand could acquire

Power to move British empire.

But various curds must be combined

And each factory their curd must grind,

To blend harmonious in one

This great cheese of mighty span,

And uniform in quality

A glorious reality.

But it will need a powerful press

This cheese queen to caress,

And a large extent of charms

Hoop will encircle in its arms,

And we do not now despair,

But we shall see it at world's fair.

And view the people all agog, so

Excited o'er it in Chicago,

To seek fresh conquests queen of cheese

She may sail across the seas,

Where she would meet reception grand

From the warm hearts in old England.