Page:The ways of war - Kettle - 1917.pdf/50

 'Never to bow or kneel To any brazen lie; To love the worst, to feel The worst is even as I. To count all triumph vain That helps no burdened man; I think so still and so I end as I began.'

"But in truth there is no phrase of any of his torchbearers that does not win new life from association with him. Strangest of all, he, who turned away from soldiers, left to all soldiers an example of courage in death to which there are not many parallels. This brave and honourable man died to the rattle of musketry; his name will be recalled to the ruffle of drums."

Easter week, too, had been for him a harrowing and terrible experience. MacDonagh, who was shot, was a fellow-professor at the College, as was also MacNeill, in whose favour he gave evidence at the court-martial. Pearse, the leader, was a friend of many years. With the rebellion he had no sympathy—indeed it made him furious. He used to say bitterly that they had spoiled it all—spoiled his dream of a free united Ireland in a free Europe. But what really seared his heart was the fearful retribution that fell on the leaders of the rebellion. When Beaumarchais's play, ''The Marriage of Figaro'', was produced, it created a furore. The author's cynical comment was that the only thing madder than the play was its success. So it