Wind Is Made in the Air, Not in the Earth.

1

How can we think winds come from th’Earth2 below,
When from the sky they3 down upon us blow?
If they came4 from the Earth, they must ascend,5
And back again their strength against it bend.6
They cannot freely blow, lest7 Earth were made                     5
Like to a bowling-green, and8 level laid.
But there are rocks, and hills, and mountains great
Which stop their ways and make them soon retreat.
Then sure it is, the sun draws vapor out
And makes9 it thin, then blows it all10 about.                            10
By11 heat condensed, it turneth12 into rain,
And by its weight falls to the Earth again.
Thus moisture and the sun do cause the winds,
And not the crudities in hollow mines.13

  1. In 1653 this poem is called “Winds Are Made in the Air, Not in the Earth.”
  2. th’Earth] Earth 1653
  3. from the sky they] they from Skye do 1653
  4. came] proceeded 1653
  5. they must ascend] must run 1653
  6. And back again their strength against it bend;] Strait up, and upon Earth againe backe come: 1653
  7. lest] least 1653
  8. and] so 1653
  9. makes] rarifies 1653
  10. blows it all] blow’th’t 1653
  11. By] If 1653
  12. it turneth] that turnes it 1653
  13. Thus moisture and the sun do cause the winds, / And not the crudities in hollow mines.] [These lines are not in the 1664 and 1668 editions.]