The Wrong-seeming Right
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: The Wrong-seeming Right
Scripture Reference:
- Matthew 13 (further images / scripture text)
Description: A man finds a treasure while working his fields which he has bought by offering everything he owned. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712), whose initials are at the lower right, was responsible for drawing and etching this emblem and for the poem that accompanies it (below). The attendant scripture text is Matthew 13:44.
Poem:
Although it seemed to be a lack of common sense,
That someone spent all his goods and possessions,
On a small plot of land,
And gave the appearance of much, for little,
So was it nevertheless a mistake,
Since that false conclusion,
Knew not of the Field’s treasure,
That this Merchant had found.
How the wise Soul is made fun of,
Which, for the treasure of eternal life,
Scorns the World with all her goods,
And seems to give much for little!
Now it seems only a poor field,
Of little land and few fruits
Because the unknowing eye found nothing else,
Than thistles of pain! and sighing!
But when the secret comes to light,
What this Merchant has started,
How beautiful and large will his wisdom become!
How his apparent-loss has won!
Oh World! Which so mockingly laughs,
Think twice when thou doest tease.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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