Geological Poems. 281 



So she moved from the seat of such infinite splendour; 



For, like us, she loved something more juicy and tender. 



Long lasted the dinner — No rock from his seat 



Ever moved, or evinced the least wish to retreat; 



And old Neptune found out, as the wise ones aver, 



When the rocks are once seated, they love not to stir. 



So he rose unobserved, and began to retire ; 



But 'tis whisper'd the Sea-God already smelt fire. 



Be this as it may — a deep hollow sound, 



Still nearer and nearer was heard under ground ; 135 



'Twas the chariot of Pluto, — in whirlwinds of flame 



Through a rent in the earth to the dinner he came. 



*' Oh, by Styx and by Hecate, my rage I wont smother, 



What — Nep give a feast, without asking his brother ? 



Though I am King of Hell — what, am I such a sinner 



That I can't be invited to smoke after dinner? I4l 



Let Nep with his waves and his waters all go to — 



I'll make the rocks dance, or my namfe is not Pluto." 



Thrice he stamp'd in a rage, and with crashes like thunder 144 



The earth open'd wide, and the rocks burst asunder^ 



And the red streaming lava flow'd over and under. 



It spread far and wide, till grim Pluto said " Halt!" 



And ranged it in columns and files of Basalt ! 



For he saw Neptune coming, collecting his might, 



And roaring and raising his waves for the fight. 150 



Now were Eurite^s and greenstone beginning to run- ^, 

 Which Hutton and Hall^i said was excellent fun. 

 But a rock-rending scene in the sequel it proved. 

 E'en the hard heart of Porphyry was melted and moved. 154 

 And many a rock the muse could not draw nigh to, 

 She saw very plainly was s ften'd in situ. 

 Now thick vapours of Sulphur and clouds black as night, 

 RoH'd in volumes, and hid the whole scene from the sight ; 

 And the Muse told the Poet 'twas time to take flight : 

 Adding this — " My good fellow, pray leave off your writing, 160 

 We have had quite enough both of feasting and fighting." 



22 For Eurite see note p 22. Compact Eurites have been classed by 

 geologists under the indefinite and frequently misapplied denominations of 

 Compact Felspar. The lavas which melt into a black glass are formed 

 from Greenstone, principally composed of Augit and Felspar, and those 

 which melt into a white glass of Eurite, in which Felspar is the predomi- 

 nating ingredient. 



23 Run or melt. Alluding to the fusibility of these rocks. 



24 Dr. Hutton and Sir James Hall, the well known supporters of the theo- 

 ry which ascribes the formation of these rocks to the agency of heat. The 

 latter has supported his opinions by a series of the most interesting and sat- 

 isfactory experiments. See Transactions of the Pioyal Society of Edinburgh. 



