The Origin of Limestone

GNOMES! you then bade dissolving SHELLS distil
From the loose summits of each shatter'd hill,
To each fine pore and dark interstice flow,
And fill with liquid chalk the mass below.
Whence sparry forms in dusky caverns gleam
With borrow'd light, and twice refract the beam;
While in white beds congealing rocks beneath
Court the nice chissel, and desire to breathe.--

About Thomas Moore

Irish poet and songwriter, friend of Byron, celebrated for Irish Melodies and lyrical romantic verse.

More poems by Thomas Moore

View all Thomas Moore poems →

More Nature & Seasons poems

View all Nature & Seasons poems →