Vocabulary in Orchard

The speaker introduces the “god of the orchard” as “rough-hewn.” Since “hewn” refers to something that has been shaped from wood or stone and “rough” can indicate a kind of raw quality, then the god is depicted in a way that emphasizes its connection to the orchard. The speaker then portrays the god as a natural part of the orchard.

The verb “to flay” means to whip or beat someone to the point where their skin is removed. This action has also been used historically as a form of religious punishment, sometimes self-inflicted. By stating that the beauty of the orchard has this violent power, the poet reveals to us how overwhelmingly beautiful the orchard is.

In general, to be prostrate means to lie on the ground, usually in a dramatic manner of distress. The use of the word here demonstrates the speaker’s struggle to resist the temptations of the orchard and builds a tone of despair.

In this line, the adjective “fleet” means evanescent, shifting, passing away; not durable or lasting. Here, the word describes how the bees do not sit idle admiring the beauty of the orchard but are busy with activity. It also calls attention to the shared mortality of the bees and the speaker.