MIOCENE PERIOD 
VAST sway on land now holds the Midland sea, 
But of her yoke are Asia's eastlands free : 
And though her orient waters far extend, 
No more with India's Ocean do they blend. 
But much of northern Afric owns her sway, J 
And still, as lands subside, she ploughs her way 
Europa through. And all low-lying lands, 
Where flows the Rhone to-day, she full commands. 
And northward round Helvetia's Alps she roams, 
And on to where Vienna's spires and domes 10 
To-day are seen. And other of her flood, 
Leave the Carpathians isled in solitude. 
But here and there big upheaved tracts pursue 
Their upward course : and slowly high in view 
Helvetia's northland comes : and on its breast 1 5 
Glitter grouped lakes, in highland homes at rest. 
Upheavals too compel Germania's sea 
To beat retreat from long held territory. 
Up through the blue slow comes a broadening plain, 
And north Germania, long sunk, breathes again. 20 
'35 
