Death & Dying
Konstantijntje 't zaligh Kijntje
Translated by John Bowring and Harry S. van Dyk (1824) · From Batavian Anthology (1824)
Infant fairest — beauty rarest —
Who repairest from above;
Whose sweet smiling, woe-beguiling,
Lights us with a heavenly love.
Mother! mourn not — I return not —
Wherefore learn not to be blest?
Heaven's my home now, where I roam now —
I an angel, and at rest.
Why distress thee? Still I'll bless thee —
Still caress thee, though I'm fled;
Cheer life's dullness — pour heaven's fullness
Of bright glory on thy head.
Leave behind thee thoughts that bind thee —
Dreams that blind thee in their glare:
Look before thee, round thee, o'er thee —
Heaven invites thee — I am there!
Cite this poem
MLA
Vondel, Joost van den. “Konstantijntje 't zaligh Kijntje.” Translated by John Bowring and Harry S. van Dyk. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/vondel/8/.
Chicago
Vondel, Joost van den. “Konstantijntje 't zaligh Kijntje.” Translated by John Bowring and Harry S. van Dyk. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/vondel/8/.
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