Donnelly's Orchard (The Rocky Road To Dublin)

    He who locks a gate doth close
    Pity's heart against his woes;
    But who opens one shall find
    God is standing just behind.

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 Goat Paths

James Stephens, Simple Poetry

Holles Street (The Rocky Road To Dublin)

James Stephens, Simple Poetry

The Coral Island (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

James Stephens, Simple Poetry

Women

James Stephens, Simple Poetry

English

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

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

Beresford Place (The Rocky Road To Dublin)

    The man who has and does not give
    Shall break his neck, and cease to live;
    But he who gives without a care
    Shall gather rubies from the air.

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

The Dodder Bank (The Rocky Road To Dublin)

    When no flower is nigh, you might
    Spy a weed with deep delight;
    So, when far from saints and bliss,
    God might give a sin a kiss.

James Stephens

Donnybrook (The Rocky Road To Dublin)

    I saw the moon so broad and bright
    Sailing high on a frosty night:

    And the air swung far and far between
    The silver disc and the orb of green:

    While here and there a wisp of white
    Cloud-film swam on the misty light:

    And crusted thickly on the sky,
    High and higher and yet more high,

    Were golden star-points dusted through
    The great, wide, silent vault of blue:

    Then I said to me, God is good
    And the world is fair, and where I stood

    I knelt me down and bent my head,
    And said my prayers, and went to bed.

James Stephens