NEBULA TO MAN 
North moves the ice. And now no longer bound 
By shouldering hills, it spreads its wealth around ; 
And as it had released from prison been 
Raids, at its will, the lake and lowland scene. 230 
Nor check it meets till Jura heights deny 
Its entrance there on Francia's territory. 
Not but it boldly seeks to override 
The mountain range, and sweep its further side ; 
And has indeed, by gaps and passes found, 235 
Pushed columns out that reach the northern ground. 
But not the higher ridges can it reach, 
Safe as Olympus do their long lines stretch : 
And though to push it on may ceaseless come 
Vast reinforcements from its distant home, 240 
Its way is barred. Yet not inert it lies, 
Though baffled be it in its bold emprise. 
Its forces now divided outward set, 
Each to pursue its fortune separate. 
That leftward turned, skirting the Jura moves, 245 
And little hindered into Francia roves. 
But here it is by rival glaciers pressed, 
And cease it must to wander to the west. 
South now it bends ; and naught impeded gains 
The easy levels of the lower plains. 250 
But dissipating here, on southern ground, 
As though it had a fatal Capua found, 
182 
