356 PAST AND PRESENT. 



teaches us that forms of life existed perfectly fitted for 

 the conditions of the period. These performed their 

 offices in the great work ; they passed away, and others 

 succeeded to carry on the process of building a world 

 for man. The past preaches to the present, and from 

 its marvellous discourses we venture to infer something 

 of the yet unveiled future. The forces which have 

 worked still labour: the phenomena which they have 

 produced will be repeated. 



Ages on ages slowly pass away, 



And nature marks their progress by decay. 



The plant which decks the mountain with its bloom, 



Finds in the earth, ere long, a damp dark tomb : 



And man, earth's monarch, howe'er great and brave 



Toils on to find at last a silent grave. 



The chosen labours of his teeming mind 



Fade by the light, and crumble 'neath the wind; 



And e'en the hills, whose tops appear to shroud 



Their granite peaks deep in the vapoury cloud, 



Worn by tempests 'Wasted by the rains, 



Sink slowly down to fill wide ocean's plains. 



The ocean's breast new lands again display, 



And life and beauty drink the light of day : 



The powers which work at great creation's wheel, 



Will from the wrecks of matter still reveal 



New forms of wondrous beauty which will rise 



Pure as the flame of love's young sacrifice, 



Beaming with all the pristine hues of youth, 



Kobed by the day, and crowned by holy truth. 



