| "Tribute to the 'Big Fella'"
By Humphrey Murphey Bear him to that hallowed place, Where our deathless dead are resting; Where the spokesmen of our race Gather for the final questing. 'Mid the statesmen who have died, 'Mid the orators and writers, Make a splendid grave and wide, For this peerless prince of fighters. Press the kindly Irish earth On the breast so broad and fearless, Veil that laughing face, whose mirth Vanished, leaves us poor and cheerless. When the tempest lashed our land And the feeble lights had dwindled; He 'twas held the gleaming brand Where the fires of warfare kindled. Fearless, agile, unafraid, Cool to watch and cordon tightening; Rallying the half-dismayed, Teaching how to strike like lightning. God-like in the work achieved, Sunshine flashed through clouds of terror Still the captain unrelieved, Strove with faction, pride and error. Chivalrous, he fought his fight, Kindly, patient, unrevealing; Hopeful that the dawning light Would reveal the nation smiling. Lay his body in the earth, Giant frame and soul are riven, Think of Collins in his mirth And his prayer, "Be they forgiven." Miceal O Coileain October 16, 1890 - August 22, 1922 |
| They were in a state of �stunned despair� to quote an editorial in the Freeman�s Journal which was bordered (as was the newspaper custom of the time) in black. Citizens of the fledgling state would have read: �The terrible news we announce today will move Ireland as nothing has moved her in living memory. Michael Collins has fallen by the hands of his own countrymen. He had dared death so often in the struggle with England that men felt he could run all risks and emerge unharmed. That he should be killed by an Irish bullet is a tragedy too deep for tears.� � But to the tens of thousands who lined the streets of Dublin on that occasion, the writer in the Freeman�s Journal said: �The gleam of hope on the gloom was the sight of Michael Collins marching at the head of the army. He has now been taken from us� It is difficult not to despair. Yet to do so would be treason to Griffith and Collins alike. Great men may pass but the nation remains. Michael Collins is dead for Ireland. It is for us, who believe in the cause for which he gave his life, to see that the new Ireland shall be worthy of the sacrifice'" (Gabriel Doherty and Dermot Keogh, quoting the Freeman's Journal). |
| "At the moment of his death, he bore no rancour, according to the paper (the Freeman�s Journal): �Forgive them,� were the last words on his lips. This theme of forgiveness was taken up by Frances McHugh in a surprisingly conciliatory piece in the pro-government paper, The Free State: �His last words were �Forgive them�; a beautiful and sentimental exit from this life? I cannot interpret these words so. No; he meant, this man who saw clearly and spoke his thoughts, �Do not assassinate any one of my enemies� leaders to avenge me. For Ireland�s sake do not start an era of assassinatory politics.� Such last words must make his death new life to Ireland'" (Gabriel Doherty and Dermot Keogh, quoting the Freeman's Journal). |
 |
 |
|