PRE-PALjEOZOIC AGES 
But subject are they held, and forced to beat 
In ceaseless circuits round the central heat. 40 
More planet cores lie now without the fold, 
But round the central heat their orbits hold : 
And ever will the mist, though changed it be 
In state and form, preserve a unity. 
******** 
Loosed now are all the planets on their ways ; 45 
Each with its burden of collected haze 
To run a destined course : and left alone 
Spins the main core, a glowing central sun. 
Thus sprung from fiery mist, condensed and rent, 
Another star burns in the firmament ; 50 
And with its glowing planets whirls along, 
An added glory to the heavenly throng. 
There moves our planet, sun-held as the rest, 
Our mother Earth ; but on her molten breast 
No life as yet can dwell ; and should the clouds, 55 
That gird her round with wind-swept vapour shrouds, 
Condense and pour their rains, no solid floor 
Has she as yet on which to hold their store. 
******** 
Cooling she ever is ; needs must she cast 
A heat to frigid space, as in the past 60 
Did the whole glowing mist. But through the heat 
Now long outpoured, less fierce her vapours beat : 
