4 And the fair welkin, foully overcast,

welkin > sky

5 Gan blow up a bitter stormy blast,

Gan > Began to, did

6 With shower and hail so horrible and dread,

dread > dreadful, fearsome

7 That this fair many were compelled at last

many > meinie: company

8 To fly for succour to a little shed,

fly > flee succour > shelter