PERMIAN PERIOD 
THE rebel rage, that fills Earth's vasty halls, 
Soon finds weak points about the rocky walls, 
That hem it in. And in the change around 
Is heard again the sullen rumbling sound 
Of grim volcanoes, long in slumber bound. 5 
And many a quiet vale and peaceful plain, 
Through mid Europa's long exempt domain, 
Are destined to a changed and weird repose 
Beneath thick ash, and steaming lava flows. 
Club-mosses still survive on scattered sites, 10 
Where too live on the reedy calamites ; 
But both are destined now to know no more 
The widespread glory of their days of yore : 
And sigillarian forests all are gone, 
Or but in dwindling clusters linger on. 1 5 
The hardy pines hold vast dominions now, 
At home on vale, and plain, and mountain brow. 
And newer forms are spreading far and wide, 
To Spruces, Yews, and Gingko trees allied. 
The kindred Cordaites still, in parts, extend ; 20 
Though drawing are their annals to an end, 
39 
