86 



BRANCH MOLLUSCA 



Fig. 64. — The chambered nautilus. 



"Year after year beheld the silent toil 



That spread his lustrous coil; 



Still, as the spiral grew, 

 He left the past year's dwelling for the new, 

 Stole with soft step its shining archway through, 



Built up its idle door. 

 Stretched in his last-found home, and knew the old no more. 



"Thanks for the heavenly message brought by thee. 



Child of the wandering sea. 



Cast from her lap, forlorn! 

 From thy tlead lips a clearer note is born 

 Than ever Triton blew from wreathed horn! 



While on mine ear it rings, 

 Through the deep caves of thought I hear a voice that sings :- 



' Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul, 

 As the swift seasons roll! 

 Leave thy low-vaulted past! 

 Let each new temple, nobler than the last, 

 Shut thee from heaven with a ilome more \'ast. 



Till thou at length art free. 

 Leaving thine outgrown shell by life's unresting sea." 



Oliirr WciidcU Holmes. 



