That showed how raindrops fell, and the west wind blew.

There on the naked stone remained the tracks

Where first the sea-beasts crawled out of the sea,

A few salt yards upon the long dark trail

That led through æons to the tidal roar

Of lighted cities and this world of tears.

The shell, the fern, the bird’s foot, the beast’s claw,

Had left their myriad signs. Their forms remained,

Their delicate whorls, their branching fronds, their bones,

Age after age, like jewels in the rocks;