42 DARWINISM AND HUMAN LIFE 



But, once thereon reset, 'tis like a tree, 

 Sap-swollen in spring-time : bonds may not restrain ; 

 Nor weight repress ; its rootlets rend in twain 

 Dead stones and walls and rocks resistlessly. 



Thine, then, it was to touch dead thoughts to earth, 

 Till of old dreams sprang new philosophies, 

 From visions systems, and beneath thy spell 

 Swiftly uprose, like magic palaces, 

 Thyself half-conscious only of thy worth 

 Calm priest of a tremendous oracle ! 



