[note]Similizing the Clouds to Horses] Nature’s Horses. 1664; Nature’s Horses. 1668. The title in 1664 and 1668 exists as a marginal note in Cavendish’s 1653 text. [/note]
The airy clouds do swiftly run a race,
Each other following as[note]Each other following as] And one another follow 1653 [/note] in a chase.
Like horses, some are sprightful, nimbl’and[note]nimbl’and] nimble, fleet 1653 [/note] fleet,
Others swelled big with wat’ry spavined feet.
Some[note]Some] Which 1653 [/note] lag behind, as tired in[note]in] in the 1664, 1668 [/note] midway, 5
And some,[note]And some,] Or else, 1653 [/note] like resty jades, stock-still will stay.
They all of[note]all of] of all 1653 [/note] several shapes and colors be,
Of several tempers, seldom well agree.
And as those horses which are[note]And as those horses which are] As when we see Horses, which 1653 [/note] highly fed
Do proudly snort—their eyes look fiery red— 10
So clouds exhaled, fed by the hot sun,[note]fed by the hot sun,] and by the Sun fed, do 1664, 1668 [/note]
With sulphur and saltpetre fierce become,[note]With sulphur and saltpetre fierce become,] Feirce with Salt-peter and with Sulphur grow, 1664; Fierce, with Salt-peter, and with Sulphur grow; 1668 [/note]
Flash out fire when they on each other light,[note]Flash out fire when they on each other light,] Flashing out Fire, when together strike, 1653; Fire out flash, when they on each other light, 1668 [/note]
And with those flames the[note]those flames the] their Flames do th’ 1653 [/note] world with terror fright;
Meeting each other,[note]other,] others 1653 [/note] they encounters make, 15
And do with strong assaults each other[note]And do with strong assaults each other] With strong Assaults they one another 1653 [/note] break,
Falling upon each other’s head and back,
Ne’er parted are, but by a[note]Ne’er parted are, but by a] Never do part till they with 1664; Never do part, till they with 1668 [/note] thunder crack.[note]crack.] Clap; 1653 [/note]
Then pouring down some show’rs of rain they do[note]Then pouring down some show’rs of rain they do] Pouring downe Showres of Raine upon the Earth, 1653 [/note]
Strong gusts of wind with their long breath out blow.[note]Strong gusts of wind with their long breath out blow.] Blow out strong Gusts of Wind with their long Breath. 1653 [/note] 20
Then Boreas whips[note]Then Boreas whips] Boreas doth whip 1664, 1668 [/note] them up, and makes them run
Till all their breath is spent, and spirits[note]all their breath is spent, and spirits] their Spirits are spent, and Breath is 1653 [/note] gone.
Apollo breaks and backs them fit to ride,
Bridling with his hot beams their strengths[note]strengths] Strength 1664, 1668 [/note] to guide;
He[note]He] And 1653 [/note] gives them heats until they foam and sweat, 25
Then[note]Then] And 1664, 1668 [/note] wipes them dry, lest they a cold should get,
Leads them into the middle-region stable,
Where are all sorts: dull, quick, weak, and[note]and] Strong and 1664; Strong, and 1668 [/note] able.
But when they loose do get, having no fears,
They fall together all out[note]They fall together all out] Then fall they all together 1664, 1668 [/note] by the ears. 30