"To a Beloved Child" by Pádraic Pearse is a tender and heartfelt poem that showcases his deep sensitivity and affection for the innocence and beauty of childhood. In this poem, Pearse expresses his love and admiration for a child, likely one of the students he taught at St. Enda's School, which he founded to promote Irish language and culture. The poem reflects Pearse's idealization of youth as a symbol of purity, hope, and the future of Ireland. His language is gentle and full of warmth, revealing a softer side of Pearse, contrasting with his more militant public persona as a revolutionary leader. Through his poetic words, Pearse elevates the child to a cherished status, intertwining personal affection with his broader vision for an Irish nation reborn through its young people. The poem captures the beauty of innocence and the promise of youth, a reflection of Pearse's belief in nurturing the next generation to achieve the dreams of a free and independent Ireland.

Laughing mouth, what tortures me is
That thou shalt be weeping;
Lovely face, it is my pity
That thy brightness shall grow grey.

Noble head, thou art proud,
But thou shalt bow with sorrow;
And it is a pitiful thing I forbode for thee
Whenever I kiss thee.

Poem written by Pádraic H. Pearse (November 10, 1879 to May 3, 1916).
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