IDEAL Naked I saw thee, O beauty of beauty! And I blinded my eyes For fear I should flinch. I heard thy music, O sweetness of sweetness! And I shut my ears For fear I should fail. I kissed thy lips O sweetness of sweetness! And I hardened my heart For fear of my ruin. I blinded my eyes And my ears I shut, I hardened my heart, And my love I quenched. I turned my back On the dream I had shaped, And to this road before me My face I turned. I set my face To the road here before me, To the work that I see, To the death that I shall meet. Padraic Pearse (1879-1916) Born in Dublin, charismatic leader of the April 1916 rebellion, executed May 1916: "We have the strength and the peace of mind of those who never compromise." (His patriot friend, Tipperary's Thomas MacDonagh, was executed the same day).