SERIO-COMIC VERSE. 637 



March on, symbolic host ! with step sublime, 

 Up to the flaming bounds of Space and Time ! 

 There pause, until by Bickenson depicted, 

 In two dimensions, we the form may trace 

 Of him whose soul, too large for vulgar space, 

 In n dimensions flourished unrestricted. 



MOLECULAR EVOLUTION. 



Belfast, 1874. 

 AT quite uncertain times and places, 



The atoms left their heavenly path, 

 And by fortuitous embraces, 



Engendered all that being hath. 

 And though they seem to cling together, 



And form " associations " here, 

 Yet, soon or late, they burst their tether, 



And through the depths of space career. 



So we who sat, oppressed with science, 



As British asses, wise and grave, 

 Are now transformed to wild Eed Lions, 1 



As round our prey we ramp and rave. 

 Thus, by a swift metamorphosis, 



Wisdom turns wit, and science joke, 

 Nonsense is incense to our noses, 



For when Eed Lions speak, they smoke. 



Hail, Nonsense ! dry nurse of Eed Lions, 2 



From thee the wise their wisdom learn, 

 From thee they cull those truths of science, 



Which into thee again they turn. 

 What combinations of ideas, 



Nonsense alone can wisely form ! 

 What sage has half the power that she has, 



To take the towers of Truth by storm ? 



1 The " Red Lions " are a club formed by Members of the British 

 Association, to meet for relaxation after the graver labours of the day. 



2 " Leonum arida nutrix." Horace. 



