To the Clouds + 

Through the unchanging heaven, as ye have sped, + 

Speed onward still, a strange wild company, + 

Fleet children of the waters! Glorious ye, + 

Whether the sun lift up his shining head, + 

High throned at noontide and established + 

Among the shifting pillars, or we see + 

The sable ghosts of air sleep mournfully + 

Against the sunlight, passionless and dead! + 

Take thus a glory, oh thou higher Sun, + 

From all the cloudy labour of man’s hand⁠— + 

Whether the quickening nations rise and run, + 

Or in the market-place we idly stand + 

Casting huge shadows over these thy plains⁠— + 

Even thence, O God, draw thy rich gifts of rains. + 