CRETACEOUS PERIOD 
And deepening waters with their life-hosts lie 
On vales and plains of southern Muscovy. 
Britannia too is sinking more from view, 
As west and north the seas their way pursue. 100 
The Cambrian lands from sight have passed away, 
Save for some isles, where Snowdon stands to-day. 
And Scotia's lowlands have succumbed to Fate, 
Although her highlands stand inviolate. 
Whilst sinking Erin, still with Britain bound 105 
Lets in the sea upon her northern ground. 
But though Europa now has come to be, 
Save for some breadths of northern territory, 
Scarce better than an island-dotted sea ; 
It is not through her provinces alone no 
That vales and plains by seas are overrun. 
For Lesser Asia that in days of yore 
Held back the sea now bars its way no more ; 
Across these lands the waters now are stretching 
To Persia's plains, and on to India reaching : 115 
Where greeting waits them from the fiery jaws 
Of grouped volcanoes, loud with rattle roars. 
Joined with the Atlantic ocean on the west, 
By widening straits through Francia depressed, 
And stretching eastward nigh to Asia's coast, 120 
The Midland sea, as known to-day, is lost. 
F 8l 
