THE CLOUD

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.

I sift the snow on the mountains below,
And their great pines groan aghast;
And all the night 't is my pillow white,

While I sleep in the arms of the blast.
Sublime on the towers of my skyey bowers,
Lightning, my pilot, sits;

In a cavern under is fettered the thunder,
It struggles and howls by fits.

Over earth and ocean, with gentle motion,
This pilot is guiding me,

Lured by the love of the genii that move
In the depths of the purple sea;
Over the rills, and the crags, and the hills,
Over the lakes and the plains,

Wherever he dream, under mountain or stream,

The spirit he loves remains;

And I all the while bask in heaven's blue smile, Whilst he is dissolving in rain.

That orbed maiden, with white fire laden,
Whom mortals call the moon,

Glides glimmering o'er my fleece-like floor,
By the midnight breezes strewn ;
And wherever the beat of her unseen feet,

Which only the angels hear,

May have broken the woof of my tent's thin roof, The stars peep behind her and peer;

And I laugh to see them whirl and flee,

Like a swarm of golden bees,

When I widen the rent in my wind-built tent,
Till the calm rivers, lakes, and seas,

Like strips of the sky fallen through me on high,
Are each paved with the moon and these.

-PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY.

Early in the spring, Lord W and part of his

family went to London, and took York with them. Ginger and I and some other horses were left at home for use, and the head groom was left in charge.

Lady Harriet, who remained at home, was a great invalid, and never went out in the carriage, and Lady Anne preferred riding on horseback with her brother or cousins. She was a perfect horsewoman, and as gay and gentle as she was beautiful. She chose me for her horse, and named me "Black Beauty." I enjoyed these rides very much in the clear, cold air, sometimes with Ginger, sometimes with Lizzie. Lizzie was a bright bay mare, almost thoroughbred, and a great favorite with the gentlemen on account of her fine action and lively spirit; but Ginger, who knew more of her than I did, told me she was rather nervous.

There was a gentleman by the name of Blantyre staying at the Hall. He always rode Lizzie, and praised her so much that one day Lady Anne ordered the side

1 See note on page 260.

2 Find the definition and pronunciation of these words in the vocabulary.

saddle to be put on her, and the other saddle on me. When we came to the door, the gentleman seemed very uneasy.

"How is this?" he said. "Are you tired of your good Black Beauty?"

"Oh, no, not at all," she replied, "but I am amiable enough to let you ride him for once, while I try your charming Lizzie. You must confess that in size and appearance she is far more like a lady's horse than my own favorite."

"Do let me advise you not to mount her," he said. "She is a charming creature, but she is too nervous for a lady. I assure you she is not perfectly safe. Let me beg you to have the saddles changed."

"My dear cousin," said Lady Anne, laughing, "pray do not trouble about me. I have been a horsewoman ever since I was a baby, and have followed the hounds a great many times, though I know you do not approve of ladies hunting. Still, that is the fact, and I intend to try this Lizzie that you gentlemen are so fond of, so please help me to mount."

There was no more to be said. He placed her carefully on the saddle, gave the reins to her, and then mounted me. Just as we were moving off, a footman came out with a slip of paper and a message from Lady Harriet, "Would they ask this question for her at Dr. Ashley's, and bring the answer?"

The village was a mile away, and the doctor's house was the last in it. We went along gayly enough till we came to his gate. A short drive led up to the house, between tall evergreens. Blantyre alighted at the gate, and was going to open it for Lady Anne, but she said, “I will wait for you here, and you can hang Black Beauty's rein on the gate.

He looked at her doubtfully. "I will not be five minutes," he said.

66

Oh, do not hurry. Lizzie and I will not run away from you."

He hung my rein on one of the iron spikes, and was soon hidden among the trees. Lizzie was standing quietly by the side of the road, a few paces off, with her back to me. My young mistress was sitting easily, with a loose rein, humming a little song. I listened to my rider's footsteps until he reached the house, and heard him knock at the door.

There was a meadow on the opposite side of the road, the gate of which stood open. As I looked, some cart horses and several young colts came trotting out in a very disorderly manner, while a boy behind was cracking a great whip. The colts were wild and frolicsome. One of them bolted across the road and blundered up against Lizzie. Whether it was the stupid colt or the loud cracking of the whip, or both together, I cannot say, but she gave a violent kick and dashed off into a headlong