So if she wore one only, And shook not out the rain, Were I a cloud, O cloudlet, I had not lived in vain. [_A cloud speaks._ A CLOUD. But were I thou, O ocean, I would not chafe and fret As thou, because a limit To thy desires is set. I would be blue, and gentle, Patient, and calm, and see If my smiles might not tempt her, My love, to come to me. I'd make my depths transparent, And still, that she should lean O'er the boat's edge to ponder The sights that swam between. I would command strange creatures, Of bright hue and quick fin, To stir the water near her, And tempt her bare arm in. I'd teach her spend the summer With me: and I can tell, That, were I thou, O ocean, My love should love me well. * * * But on the mad cloud scudded, The breeze it blew so stiff; And the sad ocean bellowed, And pounded at the cliff. 5 I heard a linnet courting His lady in the spring: His mates were idly sporting, Nor stayed to hear him sing His song of love.-- I fear my speech distorting His tender love. The phrases of his pleading Were full of young delight; And she that gave him heeding Interpreted aright His gay, sweet notes,-- So sadly marred in the reading,-- His tender notes. And when he ceased, the hearer Awaited the refrain, Till swiftly perching nearer He sang his song again, His pretty song:-- Would that my verse spake clearer His tender song! Ye happy, airy creatures! That in the merry spring Think not of what misfeatures Or cares the year may bring; But unto love Resign your simple natures, To tender love. 6 Dear lady, when thou frownest, And my true love despisest, And all thy vows disownest That sealed my venture wisest; I think thy pride's displeasure Neglects a matchless treasure Exceeding price and measure. But when again thou smilest, And love for love returnest, And fear with joy beguilest, And takest truth in earnest; Then, though I sheer adore thee, The sum of my love for thee Seems poor, scant, and unworthy. 7 I will not let thee go. Ends all our month-long love in this? Can it be summed up so, Quit in a single kiss? I will not let thee go. I will not let thee go. If thy words' breath could scare thy deeds, As the soft south can blow And toss the feathered seeds, Then might I let thee go. I will not let thee go. Had not the great sun seen, I might; Or were he reckoned slow To bring the false to light, Then might I let thee go.