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 ’tis my pillow white,
While I sleep in the arms of the blast.
Sublime on the towers of my skyy bowers,
Lightning my pilot sits;
In a cavern under is fettered the thunder,
It struggles and howls at 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 rains.The sanguine Sunrise, with his meteor eyes,
And his burning plumes outspread,
Leaps on the back of my sailing rack,
When the morning star shines dead;
As on the jag of a mountain crag,
Which an earthquake rocks and swings,
An eagle alit one moment may sit
In the light of its golden wings.
And when Sunset may breathe, from the lit sea beneath,
Its ardours of rest and of love,
And the crimson pall of eve may fall
From the depth of Heaven above,
With wings folded I rest, on mine aëry nest,
As still as a brooding dove.That orbèd 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 calm the rivers, lakes, and seas,
Like strips of the sky fallen through me on high,
Are each paved with the moon and these.I bind the Sun’s throne with a burning zone,
And the Moon’s with a girdle of pearl;
The volcanoes are dim, and the stars reel and swim,
When the whirlwinds my banner unfurl.
From cape to cape, with a bridge-like shape,
Over a torrent sea,
Sunbeam-proof, I hang like a roof,
The mountains its columns be.
The triumphal arch through which I march
With hurricane, fire, and snow,
When the Powers of the air are chained to my chair,
Is the million-coloured bow;
The sphere-fire above its soft colours wove,
While the moist Earth was laughing below.I am the daughter of Earth and Water,
And the nursling of the Sky;
I pass through the pores of the ocean and shores;
I change, but I cannot die.
For after the rain when with never a stain
The pavilion of Heaven is bare,
And the winds and sunbeams with their convex gleams
Build up the blue dome of air,
I silently laugh at my own cenotaph,
And out of the caverns of rain,
Like a child from the womb, like a ghost from the tomb,
I arise and unbuild it again.
Summary of The Cloud
“The Cloud,” penned by Percy Bysshe Shelley, is a vibrant exploration of nature’s power and perpetual cycle. Published in 1851, the poem does more than describe a cloud; it becomes the cloud, speaking in the first person. The cloud explains its role in nurturing life, from bringing rain to flowers and shade to leaves, to unleashing the force of storms and snow. It acts as a dynamic force, shifting between gentle nourishment and dramatic display, embodying constant change yet ultimate resilience. The poem beautifully illustrates the water cycle and the interconnectedness of all things, presenting the cloud as both a powerful entity and a joyful participant in the world’s natural rhythms.
At its core, “The Cloud” is a celebration of the continuous rebirth found in nature. The cloud’s ability to dissolve and reform, seemingly defying death, mirrors the cycle of life itself. Shelley uses vivid imagery and personification to convey the cloud’s personality, making it a dynamic, almost mythical being. The poem is a testament to nature’s enduring beauty and its capacity for renewal.
Major Themes
Several central themes weave through “The Cloud.” First and foremost is the power and beauty of nature. Shelley doesn’t simply observe nature; he animates it, giving the cloud a voice and personality, allowing it to express its agency and delight. Linked to this is the theme of cyclical change and renewal. The cloud’s constant transformation—from rain to snow, from dissolution to rebirth—symbolizes the endless cycle of life, death, and regeneration. Finally, the poem explores the concept of immortality. Despite appearing to vanish, the cloud constantly recreates itself, hinting at a form of everlasting existence inherent in nature.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “The Cloud”
Shelley masterfully employs a range of literary devices to bring “The Cloud” to life. Understanding these techniques enhances our appreciation of the poem’s artistry.
- Assonance: This repetition of vowel sounds creates musicality and emphasizes certain words. For example, notice the repeated “ee” sound in “Over earth and ocean, with gentle motion” which creates a flowing rhythm.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds adds emphasis and creates a pleasing sonic effect. Consider “The sanguine Sunrise, with his meteor eyes” the “s” sound draws attention to these evocative images.
- Consonance: Similar to alliteration, but focusing on the repetition of consonant sounds within words, consonance creates subtle connections. An example is found in “I wield the flail of the lashing hail.”
- Enjambment: This technique involves continuing a sentence or phrase from one line to the next, creating a sense of flow and momentum. For example:
“I bear light shade for the leaves when laid
In their noonday dreams.” - Hyperbole: Shelley uses exaggeration for emphasis and dramatic effect. The line “Which only the angels hear” is an example, suggesting the mystical quality of the cloud’s actions.
- Imagery: Vivid and descriptive language appeals to the senses, creating a powerful and immersive experience for the reader. Phrases like “Glides glimmering o’er my fleece-like floor” and “The crimson pall of eve may fall” are strong examples.
- Personification: Shelley imbues the cloud with human qualities, allowing it to speak, laugh, and feel. Throughout the poem, the cloud acts as a conscious and active force, capable of independent action.
- Simile: Comparisons using “like” or “as” create vivid imagery and enhance understanding. For example, “Like a child from the womb, like a ghost from the tomb” emphasizes the cloud’s cycle of rebirth.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “The Cloud”
Beyond literary devices, certain poetic techniques contribute to the poem’s overall effect.
- Stanza: The poem is structured into twelve stanzas, each exploring different aspects of the cloud’s nature and actions. This division helps organize the poem’s complex ideas.
- Free Verse: While possessing a lyrical quality, “The Cloud” does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. This allows for a more natural and fluid rhythm, mirroring the cloud’s own free-flowing movements.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines are particularly evocative and suitable for illustrating the poem’s themes and imagery:
“The sanguine Sunrise, with his meteor eyes,
And his burning plumes outspread,
Leaps on the back of my sailing rack,
When the morning star shines dead;
As on the jag of a mountain crag,
Which an earthquake rocks and swings,
An eagle alit one moment may sit
In the light of its golden wings.”
This passage exemplifies Shelley’s vivid imagery and personification, depicting the sunrise as a powerful, dynamic force interacting with the cloud.
“The Cloud” is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry, celebrating the beauty, power, and cyclical nature of the natural world. Through masterful use of literary and poetic devices, Shelley creates a vibrant and unforgettable portrait of a cloud, transforming it into a symbol of life, death, and rebirth.