THE AEGOXAUT.— THE NAUTILUS. 89 



Before thee lies revealed — 



Its irised ceiling rent, its sunless crypt unsealed. 



Year after year beheld the silent toil 



That spread this lustrous coil, 



Still as the spiral grew. 



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



Stole with soft step its shining archway through, 



Built up its idle door, 



Stretched in its last found home and knew the old no 



Thanks for the heavenly message brought from tliee, 

 Child of the wandering sea. 

 Cast from her lap, forlorn ! 

 From thy dead lips a clearer note is borne 

 Than ever Triton blew from wreathed horn ! 

 While on my 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 dome more vast 



Till thou at length art free, 



Leaving thy outgrown shell by life's unresting sea. 



