At The Fair (The Rocky Road To Dublin)

    The lark shall never come to say
    To a gombeen-man, "Good day,"
    And the lark shall never cry
    To a kindly man, "Good-bye."

    See the greedy gombeen-man
    Taking everything he can
    From man and woman, dog and cat,
    And the lark does not like that.

James Stephens

James Stephens was an Irish novelist and poet, whose literary output includes many retellings of Irish myths and fairy tales. He was born on February 9, 1880, and passed away on December 26, 1950. Notable works include 'The Crock of Gold' and 'The Demi-Gods'. Stephens also wrote several well-regarded collections of poetry, including 'The Hill of Vision' and 'Insurrections'. His work is characterized by a blend of myth, fantasy, and modernism, capturing the spirit and culture of Ireland.

James Stephens

The Daisies

James Stephens, Simple Poetry

Brigid

James Stephens, Simple Poetry

O'Bruaidar

James Stephens, Simple Poetry

Merrion Square (The Rocky Road To Dublin)

James Stephens, Simple Poetry

Pidgin

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

Custom House Quay (The Rocky Road To Dublin)

    When a Dublin man shall say,
    "Give me a little bread, I pray,"
    If you do not give him bread
    You will be hungry when he is fed.

    And let no priest or magistrate
    Scowl upon the poor man's plate,
    Asking him the question sly
    To which no one can reply.

James Stephens

York Street (The Rocky Road To Dublin)

    If in winter you shall drive
    Birds from crumbs, you shall not thrive;
    But if you feed them, they will fly
    To sing it sweetly on the sky.

    So throw up the window, and
    Scatter with a lavish hand,
    Taking care you do not spill
    Flower-pots from the window-sill,

    Singing, "Ireland shall be free
    From the centre to the sea";
    Singing bravely once again,
    "We are Dan O'Connell's Men."

James Stephens

Merrion Square (The Rocky Road To Dublin)

    Grey clouds on the tinted sky,
    A drifting moon, a quiet breeze
    Drooping mournfully to cry
    In the branches of the trees.

    The crying wind, the sighing trees,
    The ruffled stars, the darkness falling
    Down the sky, and on the breeze
    A belated linnet calling.

James Stephens

Dublin Men (The Rocky Road To Dublin)

    A Dublin man will frown when he
    Hears a tale of villainy;
    But when a kindness you relate,
    He swings and whistles on the gate.

James Stephens

George's Street (The Rocky Road To Dublin)

    Listen! if but women were
    Half as kind as they are fair,
    There would be an end to all
    Miseries that do befall.

    Cloud and wind would run together
    In a dance of sunny weather,
    And the happy trees would throw
    Gifts to travellers below.

    Then the lion, meek and mild,
    With the lamb would, side by side,
    Couch him friendly, and would be
    Innocent of enmity.

    Then the Frozen Pole would go,
    Tossing off his fields of snow,
    And would shake delighted feet
    With the girls of George's Street.

    These, if women only were
    Half as kind as they are fair.

James Stephens

Dunphy's Corner (The Rocky Road To Dublin)

    Pacing slowly down the road
    Black horses go, with load on load
    Of Dublin people dead, and they
    Will be covered up in clay.

    Ere their friends go home, each man
    Will shake his head, and drain a can
    To Dublin people we will meet
    Not again in Grafton Street.

James Stephens