CRETACEOUS PERIOD 
Much had it gained, when joined by long terrain 
In times far back with Asia's rich domain : 
Ere slow subsidence and the ocean flow 510 
Had made the scene an Archipelago. 
And here its favoured breadths are blooming forth 
With shrubs and trees ingathered from the north. 
By like means too, ere came the sundering sea, 
Had it obtained the motley ancestry 5 1 5 
Of rich marsupial life, of times to be. 
But too soon severed, it had failed to gain 
Mammals of higher form on its domain. 
East of the land another isle is seen, 
But favoured less ; as it had scarcely been 520 
In touch with wealthy lands. No rich array 
Of shrub and tree has hither found its way. 
Nor on the lonely scene as yet appear 
Marsupial forms of life : but here and there 
May some birds be ; ancestral forms from whom 525 
Cassowaries, emeus, and kiwis may come. 
But good times are in store ; for slow its strand 
Will by upheavals join the western land, 
And hold a dowered consort at command. 
New Zealand all, well nigh, we see to-day, 530 
Well breasts the sea ; and far to west away 
Her lands, all sparsely clothed, hold out their hands 
As they would bounty seek from Austral 's lands, 
c 97 
