LVI.
He said that Nature preserved each type; but no, some species are already extinct; and Nature says that she cares not for preserving anything, and so, in geological strata, we find the fossil remains of creatures that no longer exist.[33] Why then may not man,
“Who seemed so fair,
Such splendid purpose in his eyes,”
also perish, and have his dust blown about the desert,
“Or seal’d within the iron hills?”
If he be “no more”[34]—if there be nothing beyond this life for him—then is man but a monster, a dream, a discord—“dragons of the prime,” the Ichthyosauri that lived in the slime of chaos, were his betters!
“O life as futile, then, as frail!
O for thy voice to soothe and bless![35]
What hope of answer or redress?
Behind the veil, behind the veil.”
LVII.
“Peace, come away,” may possibly be addressed to his sister, whom he now calls away from the sad subject which his earthly song had treated.
He says his companion’s cheeks are pale, so it is time that they should turn to other things, though in doing so, he must leave half his own life behind. His “friend is richly shrined;” but what will become of himself? “I shall pass; my work will fail.”