GEOGRAPHY OF SHELLS. 37 



For who can walk where the Nautilus hides, 



When her silken sails are furl'd ; 

 Where retreat in their fury the baffled tides 



From the shores of this upper world ? 



Wonderful creatures are haunting there, 



In the tumbling and tossing main ; 

 Coral insects are rearing their fabrics feir, — 



A busy, ephemeral train. 



Oh, the works of men are not form'd to last, — 



They crumble and fade away ; 

 Time's noiseless tread or the wintry blast 



May hasten their sure decay. 



But the island on which his proud steps tread, 



Where his home or his grave may be. 

 Those small worlanen have rear'd, and their fabrics spread. 



Bright gems of the deep, deep sea. 



The sea-bird soars in the eddying spray, 



IVom those isles, 'mid the wild waves' foam ; 

 And beautiful things, which the tides convey, 



Strew the shores of each sea-girt home. 



Sea-weeds, and shells, by the sparkling waves 



As in sport on the wild shore hurl'd • 

 Sprays of coral, broke off from old ocean's caves, 



In the depth of the briny world. 



