JURASSIC PERIOD 
Hold back the sea, far to the west away 
Beyond where lie her western shores to-day. 255 
And though Britannia's mid grounds most remain 
Beneath the brine, where long indeed they'd lain, 
Lands on her east still stand forth high and dry, 
One, as of yore, with Norway's territory : 
Whilst still to south her grounds connected stand 260 
With Francia's high, uncovered northern land. 
Though much of life has fled on every side, 
And much has perished, of retreat denied ; 
Still can Europa some resort afford 
For creatures of the land to roam abroad. 265 
Meanwhile the favoured tenants of the main 
Can swim sunk vales and scour the captive plain : 
And corals can extend for miles and miles 
Constructing reefs, and clustering round the isles. 
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But though o'er sinking lands the waters press, 270 
Upheavals come the balance to redress : 
And well nigh all Britannia's land submerged 
Is being, by lateral pressure, gently urged 
Above the sea. Germania too again 
Boasts of wide lands that flooded long had lain : 275 
And to the glebes, as nude they lie and low, 
Comes leafy life its garments to bestow. 
69 
