Selected Poems

by Frederick George Scott

 

VAN ELSEN

 
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
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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;
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                Van Elsen like a tree
                Fell hopelessly.

Then in the darkness came a Voice which said,
‘As they heart bleedeth, so My heart hath bled,
                As I have need of thee,
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                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. [Page 56]
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