The Deliberation
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: The Deliberation
Scripture Reference:
- Matthew 6 (further images / scripture text)
Description: A plainly dressed man has all his treasures loaded on a ship to be sent to a far country where they will be safely kept; he speaks to a second, luxuriously dressed, man who holds the world. 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 6:19-21.
Poem:
Carefulness, which, (being fearful,)
Saw a cloud of disaster approach,
For the ruin of the whole country;
And therefore appeared destitute,
To those living around him,
While he through a diligent hand,
Transferred his Treasure and Riches,
To a place where his heart aspired to,
So that he also before too long,
Having gone from here to yonder,
Though appearing Poor in others’ eyes,
Would be Rich in the transition:
That man was always praiseworthy:
So wise men act,
Who see the Thunderstorm of violent death,
So clearly approach from afar,
To destroy the temporary land of the living,
Resulting in Eternal distress.
Therefore they send their very best,
To the land of that eternal region,
Collect riches, goods and treasure,
Where they before long, will move to,
While they live here as solitary strangers,
Like someone who owned nothing.
Although it appears then otherwise,
As used up, and gone, and totally lost,
So far from home and across the See,
It is in the very Highest hands,
Safe at heaven’s beaches,
Where the Owner himself will arrive.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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