The Devil's Bag (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

    I saw the Devil walking down the lane
    Behind our house., There was a heavy bag
    Strapped tightly on his shoulders, and the rain
    Sizzled when it hit him.    He picked a rag
    Up from the ground and put it in his sack,
    And grinned and rubbed his hands.
    There was a thing
    Moving inside the bag upon his back,
    It must have been a soul!    I saw it fling
    And twist about inside, and not a hole
    Or cranny for escape!    Oh, it was sad!
    I cried, and shouted out, "Let out that soul!"
    But he turned round, and, sure, his face went mad,
    And twisted up and down, and he said "Hell!"
    And ran away....    Oh, mammy! I'm not well.

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

From Hawk And Kite (The Rocky Road To Dublin)

James Stephens, Simple Poetry

The Patriot's Bed (The Rocky Road To Dublin)

James Stephens, Simple Poetry

Behind The Hill (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

James Stephens, Simple Poetry

The Geraldine's Cloak

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 Turn Of The Road (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

    I was playing with my hoop along the road
        Just where the bushes are, when, suddenly,
    There came a shout., I ran away and stowed
        Myself beneath a bush, and watched to see
    What made the noise, and then, around the bend,
        I saw a woman running.    She was old
    And wrinkle-faced, and had big teeth., The end
        Of her red shawl caught on a bush and rolled
    Right off her, and her hair fell down., Her face
        Was awful white, and both her eyes looked sick,
    And she was talking queer.    "O God of Grace!"
        Said she, "where is the child?" and flew back quick
    The way she came, and screamed, and shook her hands;
        ... Maybe she was a witch from foreign lands.

James Stephens

What The Snake Saw (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

    A little girl and a big ugly man
        Went down the road.    The girl was crying
    And asking to go home, but when she ran
        He hit her on the head and sent her flying,
    And called her a young imp, and said he'd break
        Her neck unless she went with him, and then
    He smacked her on the cheek., I was a snake
        At that time crawling through a robber's den,
    And diamonds were sticking to my tongue,
        (That's the best dodge), but when I saw the way
    He beat the little girl I up and flung
        A stone at him.    My aim was bad that day
    Because I hit the girl ... and she did sing!
    But he jumped round and cursed like anything.

James Stephens

Midnight (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

    And then I wakened up in such a fright;
        I thought I heard a movement in the room
    But did not dare to look; I snuggled right
        Down underneath the bedclothes, then the boom
    Of a tremendous voice said, "Sit up, lad,
        And let me see your face."    So up I sat,
    Although I didn't want to.    I was glad
        I did though, for it was an angel that
    Had called me, and he said, he'd come to know
        Was I the boy who wouldn't say his prayers
    Nor do his sums, and that I'd have to go
        Straight down to hell because of such affairs.
    ... I said I'd be converted and do good
        If he would let me off, he said he would.

James Stephens

Check (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

    The night was creeping on the ground;
    She crept and did not make a sound
    Until she reached the tree, and then
    She covered it, and stole again
    Along the grass beside the wall.

    I heard the rustle of her shawl
    As she threw blackness everywhere
    Upon the sky and ground and air,
    And in the room where I was hid:
    But no matter what she did
    To everything that was without,
    She could not put my candle out.

    So I stared at the night, and she
    Stared back solemnly at me.

James Stephens

A Visit From Abroad (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

    A speck went blowing up against the sky
        As little as a leaf: then it drew near
    And broadened. "It's a bird," said I,
        And fetched my bow and arrows. It was queer!
    It grew up from a speck into a blot,
    And squattered past a cloud; then it flew down
    All crumply, and waggled such a lot
        I thought the thing would fall., It was a brown
    Old carpet where a man was sitting snug
        Who, when he reached the ground, began to sew
    A big hole in the middle of the rug,
        And kept on peeping everywhere to know
    Who might be coming, then he gave a twist
        And flew away....    I fired at him but missed.

James Stephens

Desperation And Madness Of Guilt, The

In depth of loneliest wood, amid the din
Of midnight storm and thunder, spoke Despair,
While Horror, shuddering, heard that voice alone.
Oh! load of guilt! relentless misery!
Still, ever still the same where'er I fly;
No peace, no hope, not one poor moment's glimpse
Through all the blackness of eternity!
Monster of direst guilt! this mother's hand
Murder'd my babe, my new-born innocent.
I seek not mercy, no! long sought in vain
While conscience prey'd upon my secret heart,
Wasting its life in agonizing groans,
And floods of scalding tears, but now no more;
Those pangs are past, this heart is wither'd, dead!
Changed all to crime, all rottenness and stench;
'Twould taint creation were it not confined.
Parch'd are these eyes, their sorrows turn'd to ice,
A m...

Thomas Oldham