Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume III. Sorrow and Consolation. 1904. | | | | V. Death and Bereavement | | Van Elsen | | Frederick George Scott (1861–1944) |
| | | GOD spake three times and saved Van Elsen’s soul; | |
| He spake by sickness first and made him whole; | |
| Van Elsen heard him not, | |
| Or soon forgot. | |
| |
| God spake to him by wealth, the world outpoured | 5 |
| Its treasures at his feet, and called him Lord; | |
| Van Elsen’s heart grew fat | |
| And proud thereat. | |
| |
| God spake the third time when the great world smiled, | |
| And in the sunshine slew his little child; | 10 |
| Van Elsen like a tree | |
| Fell hopelessly. | |
| |
| Then in the darkness came a voice which said, | |
| “As thy heart bleedeth, so my heart hath bled, | |
| As I have need of thee, | 15 |
| Thou needest me.” | |
| |
| That night Van Elsen kissed the baby feet, | |
| And, kneeling by the narrow winding sheet, | |
| Praised Him with fervent breath | |
| Who conquered death. | 20 | | | |
|
|
