Were I a cloud I'd gather
My skirts up in the air,
And fly well know whither,
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Were I a cloud I'd gather
My skirts up in the air,
And fly well know whither,
And rest I well know where.

I bring fresh showers for the thirsting flowers,
From the seas and the streams;
I bear light read more

I bring fresh showers for the thirsting flowers,
From the seas and the streams;
I bear light shade for the leaves when laid
In their noonday dreams.
From my wings are shaken the dews that waken
The sweet buds every one,
When rocked to rest on their mother's breast,
As she dances about the sun.
I wield the flail of the lashing hail,
And whiten the green plains under,
And then again I dissolve it in rain,
And laugh as I pass in thunder.

Was I deceiv'd, or did a sable cloud
Turn forth her silver lining on the night?

Was I deceiv'd, or did a sable cloud
Turn forth her silver lining on the night?

When clouds appear like rocks and towers,
The earth's refreshed by frequent showers.

When clouds appear like rocks and towers,
The earth's refreshed by frequent showers.

The clouds,--the only birds that never sleep.

The clouds,--the only birds that never sleep.

The cloud never comes from the quarter of the horizon from which we watch for it.

The cloud never comes from the quarter of the horizon from which we watch for it.

O, it is pleasant, with a heart at ease,
Just after sunset, or by moonlight skies,
To read more

O, it is pleasant, with a heart at ease,
Just after sunset, or by moonlight skies,
To make the shifting clouds be what you please,
Or let the easily persuaded eyes
Own each quaint likeness issuing from the mould
Of a friend's fancy.

If woolly fleeces spread the heavenly way
No rain, be sure, disturbs the summer's day.

If woolly fleeces spread the heavenly way
No rain, be sure, disturbs the summer's day.

But here by the mill the castled clouds
Mocked themselves in the dizzy water.

But here by the mill the castled clouds
Mocked themselves in the dizzy water.