For a Free Ireland

by Padrick Pearse

Pearse addresses a meeting of the Irish Republican Brotherhood

My name is Padrick Pearse. I'm the Headmaster at St. Enda's, and I used to edit The

Sword of Light for the Gaelic League. I agree that nothing but arms will win Irish freedom!

(cheers)

However, I feel compelled to say something in the defense of John Redmond.

(grumbles)

I don't agree with him, but we have to remember we're on the same side.

(jeers)

Remember that the Home Rule movement has sustained Irish nationalism since the Fenians were crushed.

(the jeers grow louder)

I once favored Home Rule myself

(someone shouts "sounds like you still do". PEARSE speaks louder to get over the noise.)

so I know the motives are pure!

("They'll leave us purely English")

Listen to me! We had to try political means first. Will you listen?! The IRB, the Home Rulers, Sinn Fein, the Gaelic League, we're all seeking the same thing!

(PEARSE is having to work to get over the noise.)

So sit here and jeer then. What have you actually done? How about you or you? Done anything but spew your palaver into your beer, you useless tavern rebels?!  Do you sit around singing songs of other people's glory!?

(The crowd has quieted during these last lines.)

I'll tell you what I will do. Give me a hundred men, and I will free Ireland!

(The crowd noise fades.)

In the name of God,

By Christ His only Son,

By Mary His gentle Mother,

By Patrick the Apostle of the Irish,

By the loyalty of Colm Cille,

By the glory of our race,

By the blood of our ancestors,

By the murder of Red Hugh,

By the sad death of Hugh O'Neill,

By the tragic death of Owen Roe,

By the dying wish of Sarsfield,

By the anguished sigh of Fitzgerald,

By the bloody wounds of Tone,

By the noble blood of Emmet,

By the Famine corpses,

By the tears of Irish exiles,

We swear the oaths our ancestors swore,

That we will free our race from bondage,

Or that we will fall fighting hand to hand.     Amen