The Cradle
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: The Cradle
Scripture Reference:
- 1 Thessalonians 5 (further images / scripture text)
Description: While a youth watches from outside, a mother rocks her baby to sleep in a cradle. The poem raises the question, though, of whether people are content to move through life as children, as lost in a dream and ignoring the important things of life. If so, there will be a rude awakening and the realization that no time remains to make amends. Therefore, the Apostle Paul summons Christians to be alert and exercise self control (1 Thessalonians 5:5-6). 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 wrote the accompanying poem.
Motto: Deception hides there.
Poem:
As the child’s mind,
So that Sleep overcomes it,
Is, through a steady to and fro,
Drawn to calmness,
As it comes to rest,
And restlessness is turned around:
Likewise someone rocks steadily,
To deceive the old child
Through a constant pastime;
So that the mind does not awaken
For the greatest and heaviest tasks,
But acts as if they are unimportant.
Thus all his time escapes him,
With dreaming and slumbering!,
And he remains the ignorant child;
Who thoughtless and ill-advised,
Doesn’t get around to manly deeds,
Until life’s End finds him.
Then he is frightened on the soft bed,
And wishes to save himself from the Cradle,
And do the work of Old Age;
But, since his Hourglass has run out,
He must pay with his life,
Therefore one must realize this in time.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker).
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This image is made available by the generous contribution of Margaret and Art Peddle, in loving memory of our 2nd great nephew, Rogan Flaishans (10AUG2017 to 27AUG2017).
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