A BALLADE OF EVOLUTION. 



IN the mud of the Cambrian main 



Did our earliest ancestor dive : 

 From a shapeless albuminous grain 



We mortals our being derive. 

 He could split himself up into five, 



Or roll himself round like a ball; 

 For the fittest will always survive, 



While the weakliest go to the wall. 



As an active ascidian again 



Fresh forms he began to contrive, 

 Till he grew to a fish with a brain, 



And brought forth a mammal alive. 

 With his rivals he next had to strive, 



To woo him a mate and a thrall ; 

 So the handsomest managed to wive, 



While the ugliest went to the wall. 



At length as an ape he was fain 



The nuts of the forest to rive ; 

 Till he took to the low-lying plain, 



And proceeded his fellow to knive. 

 Thus did cannibal men first arrive, 



One another to swallow and maul ; 

 And the strongest continued to thrive, 



While the weakliest went to the wall. 



) 

 ENVOY. 



Prince, in our civilised hive, 



Now money's the measure of all ; 



And the wealthy in coaches can drive, 

 While the needier go to the wall. 



B 



