NEBULA TO MAN 
But whilst this briny foe has fallen back, 
The Atlantic's " big battalions " now attack 
Francia's south western coast ; and by degrees 
Flanking by northern route the Pyrenees, 
Push on their way, despoiling fertile lands, 25 
To find, by narrow strait, the Mid-sea strands. 
Small change has Britain's coast line undergone ; 
For little land has here been lost or won. 
But on her breadths have rivers writ their tales, 
And changed the levels into hills and vales ; 30 
A feature giving to the yielding rock, 
As does a sculptor to his marble block. 
Through Erin's northlands, earthquakes now are sending 
Their waves and shocks, and on to Scotia, rending 
The rocking land. Lava streams outpouring, 35 
From cracks and clefts, are far and wide exploring 
Green vales and plains. Prodigious cooling masses, 
Heaped and hardening, are blocking mountain passes, 
Cladding in armour vast thick ferny brakes, 
Smothering forests, choking streams and lakes ; 40 
Till wide extents of once fair landscape sleep 
'Neath hardening lava, scores of fathoms deep. 
Subsidence, uplift, rivers, seas, and clime 
Will change the scene, as run the sands of time ; 
But Erin's Giant Causeway, and the isle 45 
Where Fingal's Cave betrays the columned pile, 
136 
