NEBULA TO MAN 
But ponderous though the life for most part be, 430 
Forms are there here that have agility. 
See Laelaps here, dashing like kangaroo 
At Hadrosaurus, tall, and massive too. 
Indeed that brute's fond scheme would seem to be 
To trip and crush his slender enemy. 435 
For that swan beak, designed to dig for food 
In watery haunts, is here of little good. 
Here too does Triceratops enjoy the day, 
And monarch walks of what his eyes survey. 
Big is his skull, in length some twice three feet, 440 
With hind part with a collar made complete : 
And fringe of bony plates runs round the rim, 
Elizabethan frill-work, as might seem. 
High as a good-sized elephant he stands, 
And half a score of feet his frame commands. 445 
Beaked is he like the turtle. On his snout 
A small horn grows ; whilst two are shooting out 
Much longer these above his placid eyes. 
On feet, scarce equal to his weight and size, 
With shambling step he takes his walks abroad, 450 
Dragging a long thick tail a monstrous cord. 
And half his time in eating must be spent 
To keep on plants his bulky tenement. 
No creature of to-day can call to mind 
A form like his. Perchance if we could find 455 
94 
