36 INTRODUCTION TO CONCHOLOGY. 



blended with all of eartVs productions; they fade and 

 change ; they tell of by-gone days^ and of friends who may 

 not greet again her beautiful interchange of fruits and 

 flowers. But mine are always new : no sad thoughts are 

 blended with them, for the steps of mortals are not upon 

 my fields. All that my billows throw forth to the bright 

 sunbeams are fresh and beautiful ; and it is not till they 

 have been received on earth's dull bosom, that they partake 

 of her nature and begin to fade. 



What bear ye now, ye dancing waves, 



lu your wild delirious play ; 

 Sea-weeds or shells, from the coral caves. 



Where the flocks of ocean stray ? 



I have waited long 'mid the deafening roar, 



And the spray of your revelry ; 

 Oh, spread ye now, on the sounding shore, 



Those gifts from the deep, deep sea. 



Our steps are not on her pathless plains, 



Where the beauteous sea-weeds grow. 

 And the Pinna weaveth her silken chains, 



By the light of the Sea-star's glow. 



Oh, the light of that lamp, how it purely beams, 



In the midst of the deep, deep sea. 

 Lighting her halls where the rapt bard deems 



Are wonders no mortal may see. 



