The Cow (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

                Cow, Cow!
                I and thou
    Are looking at each other's eyes
    You are lying on the grass
    Eating every time I pass,
    And you do not seem to be
    Ever in perplexity:
    You are good I'm sure, and not
    Fit for nothing but the pot:
    For your bearing is so kind,
    And your quietness so wise:
                Cow, Cow!
                I and thou
    Are looking at each other's eyes.

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 Weavers

James Stephens, Simple Poetry

Merrion Square (The Rocky Road To Dublin)

James Stephens, Simple Poetry

Skim-Milk

James Stephens, Simple Poetry

The Apple Tree (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

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.

The Coolun

    Come with me, under my coat,
        And we will drink our fill
    Of the milk of the white goat,
        Or wine if it be thy will;
        And we will talk until
    Talk is a trouble, too,
        Out on the side of the hill,
    And nothing is left to do,
        But an eye to look into an eye
    And a hand in a hand to slip,
        And a sigh to answer a sigh,
    And a lip to find out a lip:
        What if the night be black
    And the air on the mountain chill,
        Where the goat lies down in her track
        And all but the fern is still!
        Stay with me, under my coat,
    And we will drink our fill
        Of the milk of the white goat
    Out on the side of the hill.

James Stephens

The Vale Of Thames.

        In vale of Thames oft' times are seen
        The cattle graze 'mong sweetest green,
        Or there contented with their fate
        The gentle cows do ruminate.

        And enjoy a double pleasure
        In re-chewing hidden treasure,
        The cow is a kindly creature,
        Kind and pleasant in each feature.

        About her is a homely charm,
        And her the dog should not alarm,
        But let all safe guard her from harm,
        The gentlest creature on the farm.

James McIntyre

The Wood Of Flowers (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

    I went to the Wood of Flowers
        (No one was with me);
    I was there alone for hours.
        I was happy as could be
    In the Wood of Flowers.

    There was grass on the ground,
        There were buds on the tree,
    And the wind had a sound
        Of such gaiety,
    That I was as happy
        As happy could be,
    In the Wood of Flowers.

James Stephens

The Horse (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

    A sparrow hopped about the street,
        And he was not a bit afraid;
    He flew between a horse's feet,
        And ate his supper undismayed:
    I think myself the horse knew well
    The bird came for the grains that fell.

    For his eye was looking down,
        And he danced the corn about
    In his nose-bag, till the brown
        Grains of corn were tumbled out;
    And I fancy that he said,
    "Eat it up, young Speckle-Head!"

    The driver then came back again,
        He climbed into the heavy dray;
    And he tightened up the rein,
        Cracked his whip and drove away.
    But when the horse's ribs were hit,
    The sparrow did not care a bit.

James Stephens

Cows

    There was an old man who said, "How
    Shall I flee from this horrible cow?
    I will sit on this stile
    And continue to smile,
    Which may soften the heart of that cow."

Unknown

The Canal Bank (The Rocky Road To Dublin)

    I know a girl,
        And a girl knows me,
            And the owl says, what?
            And the owl says, who?
    But what we know
        We both agree
    That nobody else
        Shall hear or see,
    It's all between
        Herself and me:
            To wit? said the owl,
            To woo, said I,
        To-what, to-wit, to-woo!

James Stephens