IN THE ORCHARD

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.