THE AMERICAN RIVER. 19 



Though the soft limestone mass, unprest 

 By naked footstep on its breast, 

 Now hardened into rock appears 

 By work of indurating years, 

 Yet 'tis by grander strength alone 

 That Nature's age is ever known. 

 While crumbling turrets tell the tale 

 Of man's vain pomp and projects frail, 

 Time, in the wilderness displays 

 Th' ennobling power of length of days 

 And mid the forest's trackless bound, 

 Type of Eternity, is found, 



The river rushing on. 



