The Dew: To Maintain
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: The Dew: To Maintain
Scripture Reference:
- Hosea 14 (further images / scripture text)
Description: Two young women look at the drops of dew on the young plants. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649–1712) was responsible for drawing this emblem and composed the poem that accompanies it. The etching was executed by Jan Luiken or his son Casper Luiken (1672–1708), who had used this image in an earlier work, which may be found in the Digital Image Archive under the call number 1699Weig. The attendant scripture text is Hosea 14:5-6.
Motto:
The Soul longs for liquid,
Like the dry leaf.
Poem:
Like the cool Dew on the herb,
Of the dry earth, now long having lain
In hot days, without rain
As it eagerly sprouts upward,
Longs to quench its thirst,
With the blessing of this morning’s gift;
So is the Hope for eternal good,
Born at the dawn of Faith
In the name of Jesus, so chosen,
On the herb of the extended spirit,
That raises itself from the barren soil
Of the black earth, the flesh of sins.
That heaven-desiring herb of the heart!
O Pearl-like droplets, of this hope,
That each morning drip,
One looks forward to thy refreshment,
Thou dost protect the growth from drying up.
With thy blessing from above.
So the little herb of the Soul remains,
(Attacked by heat and cold,)
Saved by the sweet Dew,
So its life would not expire.
Until the time of total blessing,
From that wished for Summer-rain,
That timely rain,
(When Heaven is opened up,)
Poured out through God’s mercy,
Until complete Salvation:
Then the herb will truly satisfy itself,
And stand graceful with flower and leaves.
O Jesus! the very sweetest Dew,
That thy Name, beloved Lord,
May meanwhile so preserve,
The Herb of desiring God;
That such may, through constant watering,
Grow through all droughts.
Until by thy dear hand,
(Now arrived at its right time,)
It is taken from this earth.
And it is planted in Paradise:
To carry the little Flower of God’s Image,
For the blessed pleasure of all.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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