Page:The ascent of man by Blind, Mathilde.djvu/22

 Flew shuttlewise above, beneath, Weaving the web of life and death.

And multiplying in the ocean,
 * Amorphous, rude, colossal things

Lolled on the ooze in lazy motion,
 * Armed with grim jaws or uncouth wings;

Helpless to lift their cumbering bulk They lurch like some dismasted hulk.

And virgin forest, verdant plain,
 * The briny sea, the balmy air,

Each blade of grass and globe of rain,
 * And glimmering cave and gloomy lair

Began to swarm with beasts and birds, With floating fish and fleet-foot herds.

The lust of life's delirious fires
 * Burned like a fever in their blood,

Now pricked them on with fierce desires,
 * Now drove them famishing for food,