42 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



An acid deluge, then, in time far less 



Than I have ta'en to contemplate with awe 



These limestone rivers, lo, they are dissolv'd 



And all their beds are empty. Such as these 



It was within whose parts my acid work'd 



And chased the spirit forth, and I am here 



To see what form corporeal it took 



Link'd with the lime as calcium carbonate ; 



Nay, more : to see what 'twas that did defy 



The acid's power — these adamantine rocks 



Where now the drowsy noon with static gleam 



In crystal chambers sleeps ; these banks of quartz 



Like granite tombs unchanging, while the dead 



That sleep within— these fleeting ribs of lime 



That rose and fell with life— now moulder and decay. 



So ends my search. The business of the world 

 In which I live bids me take leave of this. 

 I come. The shadows lengthen as I move 

 This radiant light, and still mine eye pursues 

 New hills and dales illumin'd. Pity 'tis 

 To leave so fair a world ; and yet 'tis dead ; 

 An utter solitude. At yonder ridge 

 Up which the light is creeping will I stay 

 An else unending quest. Already now 

 Yon peak has caught the last red gleam of day. 

 Farewell ! But what is that ? That streak of green 

 Beyond the dark ? 'Tis lost now : now again 

 It cometh with the light. What can it be? 

 The distance will not answer. What ! Shall I 

 The king here be denied ? Come hither now 

 All ye my powers and ministers. Go, say 

 To yonder hill : " The king is on his throne, 

 And bids you come to him." And now, behold, 

 The vales and hills glide past me, and that ridge 

 That hath defied my power is brought along 

 A captive to my presence. On its face 

 I look as one who questions, but the ridge 

 Returns my gaze as one who answers not. 

 I scan its features vainly till I see, 

 Not that bright emerald which far away 

 Flash'd a green signal through the parting gleam 



