At quite uncertain times and places, <br />The atoms left their heavenly path, <br />And by fortuitous embraces, <br />Engendered all that being hath. <br />And though they seem to cling together, <br />And form "associations" here, <br />Yet, soon or late, they burst their tether, <br />And through the depths of space career. <br /> <br />So we who sat, oppressed with science, <br />As British asses, wise and grave, <br />Are now transformed to wild Red Lions, <br />As round our prey we ramp and rave. <br />Thus, by a swift metamorphosis, <br />Wisdom turns wit, and science joke, <br />Nonsense is incense to our noses, <br />For when Red Lions speak, they smoke. <br /> <br />Hail, Nonsense! dry nurse of Red Lions, <br />From thee the wise their wisdom learn, <br />From thee they cull those truths of science, <br />Which into thee again they turn. <br />What combinations of ideas, <br />Nonsense alone can wisely form! <br />What sage has half the power that she has, <br />To take the towers of Truth by storm? <br /> <br />Yield, then, ye rules of rigid reason! <br />Dissolve, thou too, too solid sense! <br />Melt into nonsense for a season, <br />Then in some nobler form condense. <br />Soon, all too soon, the chilly morning, <br />This flow of soul will crystallize, <br />Then those who Nonsense now are scorning, <br />May learn, too late, where wisdom lies.<br /><br />James Clerk Maxwell<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/molecular-evolution/
