De Nieuwe Gids. Jaargang 15

[p. 4]

John Ruskin.

O splendid well of holy bitterness
brimful with thy dire sorrows and the shame
of this vile age - thou quenchest rage's flame,
thou sweetenest my own calice of distress.

Couldst thou but yet, ere mortal parting came,
my thanks accept, my poor endeavours bless
and hear my oath that I shall without blame
thy heavy standard bear and knightly dress.

Alas! for wrongs by blinded idlers spent
on thee, their prophet and their truest chief!

Thy great heart overcome, thy great mind bent
by weight of eld and unrelenting grief!

Now dost thou die! - and I who can not mend!
And my full force that can not give relief!

Frederik Van Eeden.