The Poetry Corner

Behind The Hill (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

By James Stephens

Behind the hill I met a man in green Who asked me if my mother had gone out? I said she had.He asked me had I seen His castle where the people sing and shout From dawn to dark, and told me that he had A crock of gold inside a hollow tree, And I could have it., I wanted money bad To buy a sword with, and I thought that he Would keep his solemn word; so, off we went. He said he had a pound hid in the crock, And owned the castle too, and paid no rent To any one, and that you had to knock Five hundred times.I asked, "Who reckoned up?" And he said, "You insulting little pup!"