NEBULA TO MAN 
And this finned, back-boned life now forms the van 75 
Of Nature's march from one-celled mites to Man. 
The sea seems ever young ; all free from trace 
Of bygone trouble that has swept her face. 
And though she oft be stirred by rushing wind, 
Yet transient are the furrows left behind ; 80 
Invulnerable she lies in every clime, 
To all the waste and ravages of time. 
Not so the land : an open field she lies 
Whereon expend destructive agencies 
Their vandal force : and she must ever bear 8 c 
Upon her face the marks of wear and tear ; 
* 
And whilst her rival smiles with constant youth, 
By art must she contrive to hide the truth. 
Volcanoes, earthquakes, weather, rivers, rain 
All havoc play upon the land's domain : 90 
And seem at times as their design might be 
To make her realms lie level with the sea. 
Volcanoes pour in streams her inner rocks, 
Through gaping fissures wrought by earthquake shocks : 
And down to sea the steaming lava flows 95 
Destruction carrying, as it rapid goes. 
Proud standing rocks, submitted to the strain 
Of varied climate, and dissolvent rain, 
Crumble and crack, and from long wear and tear 
Once massive brows as ragged crags appear : 100 
18 
