NEBULA TO MAN 
As sinks some sylvan scene in all its pride, 1 50 
Changed to lagoons by overflowing tide, 
Assiduous labours Land to win again 
Her leafy breadths, invaded by the main. 
Down bring the rivers to the flooded shore 
Cargoes of silt and shale, that slow restore 155 
The sunken glebes, till they again can hold 
Thick ferny brakes, and forests as of old. 
Not but with threatened life these ever stand, 
As wide they spread on frequent flooded land. 
But on some favoured flats they prosperous grow 160 
For generations ere the waters through 
Their terranes stream ; and as old trunks decayed, 
And fallen leaves and branches thick are laid, 
Rich peaty bogs are formed, where plant and tree 
Live in the very lap of luxury. 165 
Long do the times of surface changes last, 
With varying fortunes over regions vast ; 
Where lie to-day Europa's smiling lands, 
And China's plains, and Australasia's strands, 
And far to West through Nova Scotia's seas, 170 
And in Columbia's scattered territories ; 
Till in the long drawn surface rivalry, 
Awhile with water does the balance lie. 
And though to sinking flats from hill and dale 
Load upon load arrive of sand and shale, 175 
36 
