PRE-PAL.EOZOIC AGES 
The mightiest act this Earth has ever seen, 
Ere since the sun first shone in the serene, 
Now comes to pass. Where plays the cooler air 
Some matter-specks, with life endowed, appear. 135 
In mystic ways, some wondrous quickening Breath 
Draws, as it breathes, Life to the face of Death. 
Along the sunny coast-lines of the seas, 
Away in creeks and bays and estuaries, 
Minute life-forms arise, and from their birth 140 
Move, though they know it not, the lords of Earth. 
And if these specks be plant or animal, 
What man can say ? Perchance within each cell 
In one life-form the two commingled dwell. 
Still be they what, here thrive they 'mid the floods, 145 
Sustained by water, air, and mineral foods. 
Not only power to live do they enjoy, 
But power to grow is theirs, and multiply. 
A cell full nourished splits itself in twain, 
And parts divided equal life retain, 150 
And grow from halves to size of wholes again : 
And these again have power to subdivide ; 
And thus, by subdivision multiplied, 
Soon countless swarms in surging myriads press, 
Wherever fit conditions give access. 155 
