One hundred years ago on an Easter Sunday, thousands of Irish men and women rose in armed insurrection against the British colonial government. The rebellion was poorly planned and executed, and was brutally put down by British forces. The leaders of the rebellion were later executed for treason. Although the "Easter Rising" was unsuccessful, it marked the turning point in Ireland's fight for independence, which was achieved in 1922. William Butler Yeats' famous poem "Easter, 1916" captures the mood of that time:
I have met them at close of day"A terrible beauty is born" repeats throughout the poem (which is here in its entirety), alluding to the transformation of ordinary Irish citizens -- the "vivid faces" -- into revolutionaries.
Coming with vivid faces
From counter or desk among grey
Eighteenth-century houses.
I have passed with a nod of the head
Or polite meaningless words,
Or have lingered awhile and said
Polite meaningless words,
And thought before I had done
Of a mocking tale or a gibe
To please a companion
Around the fire at the club,
Being certain that they and I
But lived where motley is worn:
All changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.
For this Easter Sunday, pray for peace and justice.
