The Poetry Corner

In The Orchard (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

By James Stephens

There was a giant by the Orchard Wall Peeping about on this side and on that, And feeling in the trees: he was as tall As the big apple tree, and twice as fat: His beard was long, and bristly-black, and there Were leaves and bits of grass stuck in his hair. He held a great big club in his right hand, And with the other felt in every tree For something that he wanted.You could stand Beside him and not reach up to his knee So mighty big he was, I feared he would Turn round, and trample down to where I stood. I tried to get away, but, as I slid Under a bush, he saw me, and he bent Far down and said, "Where is the Princess hid?" I pointed to a place, and off he went, But while he searched I turned and simply flew Round by the lilac bushes back to you.