AND MODERN PHYSICS. 85 



MOLECULAR EVOLUTION. 



Xrlfatt, 1874. 



AT quite uncertain times and place*, 



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 wo who sat, oppressed with science, 



As British Asses, wise and grave, 

 Are now transformed to wild lied Lions/ 



As round our prey we ramp and rave. 

 Thus, by a swift metamorphosis, 



Wisdom turns wit, and science joko, 

 Nonsense is incense to our noses, 



For when Ited Lions speak they smoke. 



Hail, Nonsense ! dry nurse of Ked Lions, f 



From theo the wise their wisdom learn ; 

 From thoe they cull those truths of science, 



Which into thco 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 ? 



Yield, then, ye rules of rigid reason ! 



Dissolve, thou too, too solid sense ! 

 Melt into nonsense for a season, 



Then in some nobler form condense. 

 Soon, all too soon, the chilly morning 



This flow of soul will crystallise ; 

 Then those who Nonsense now are scorning 



May learn, too late, where wisdom lies. 



The " Red Lions" are a club formed by Member* of the British Association 

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

 f " Lcc-uum arida nutrix." Horace 



