If, rising on its wrecks, at last

To something nobler we attain.

—Longfellow.

THE CHAMBERED NAUTILUS.[35]

This is the ship of pearl, which, poets feign,

Sails the unshadowed main,—

The venturous bark that flings

On the sweet summer wind its purpled wings

In gulfs enchanted, where the Siren sings,

And coral reefs lie bare,