CAINOZOIC AGE 
OLIGOCENE PERIOD 
SLOWLY the Atlantic sea a way has found 
O'er lands, that from the Carbon times had bound 
Britannia's southwest lands with Francia's realm. 
And on she presses, threatening to o'erwhelm 
All mid-lying land, and cut Britannia free 5 
Of last land links with Francia's territory. 
But limestone plateaus hold the waves at bay, 
Where flows, white-walled, the "silver streak " to-day ; 
And though their further slopes are being pressed 
By Baltic waters working to the west, 10 
Long will the chalky isthmus stretching lands 
Confront the cross sweeps on their threatened strands ; 
And hold Britannia with her neighbour bound, 
Like cabled ship, or tightly tethered hound. 
With different aspect does Britannia loom 1 5 
From that she will present in days to come. 
With Erin joined and Norway still she lies, 
A province merged in vast massed territories, 
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