PALEOZOIC AGE 
CAMBRIAN PERIOD 
TIME'S close-drawn veil, now partly raised, displays 
Nature that never sleeps well on her ways ; 
Spreading her life in regions far and wide, 
In forms all humble, though diversified. 
About the globe the ever restless sea 5 
Retains o'er land its great supremacy. 
Europa's grounds, that will in time appear, 
Show but some heights as islands here and there. 
And far to east the waters wander free 
And join o'er Asia's wilds the eastern sea. 10 
As yet lie hidden in the sea's domains 
The whole extent of Afric's northern plains. 
And land that will in time for Britain rise 
For most part as a bed for shallows lies. 
But neighbouring on its margins to the west 1 5 
Some land, in time to sink, lifts up its breast. 
And further west deep waters onward play 
Till Canada's bleak shores obstruct their way : 
But o'er Columbia's lands unchecked they run, 
Save where some big lone isles bask in the sun. 20 
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