of that which is to come is sometimes given to man, and his over-wrought mind is enabled to grasp at one single effort the events of his whole past life—­if, at this moment and on this spot, where Barneveldt was now to suffer a felon’s death,—­where he had first held out his fostering hand to the infant republic, and infused into it strength and vigour to conquer the giant of Europe,—­where he had been humbly sued for peace by the oppressor of his country,—­where the ambassadors of the most powerful sovereigns had vied with each other in soliciting his favour and support,—­where the wise, the eloquent, and the learned, had bowed in deference to his master-spirit;—­if, at this moment, the memory of all his long and glorious career on earth flashed upon his mind in fearful contrast to the present reality, with how deep feeling must he have uttered the exclamation as he ascended the scaffold, ‘Oh God! what then is man?’

“Here he was compelled to suffer the last petty indignity that man could heap upon him.  Aged and infirm as he was, neither stool nor cushion had been provided to mitigate the sense of bodily weakness as he performed the last duties of mortal life; and kneeling down on the bare boards, he was supported by his servant, while the minister, John Lamotius, delivered a prayer.  When prepared for the block, he turned to the spectators and said, with a loud and firm voice, ’My friends, believe not that I am a traitor.  I have lived a good patriot, and such I die.’  He then, with his own hands, drew his cap over his eyes, and bidding the executioner ‘be quick,’ bowed his venerable head to the stroke.

“The populace, from various feelings, some inspired by hatred, some by affection, dipped their handkerchiefs in his blood, or carried away morsels of the blood-stained wood and sand; a few were even found to sell these as relics.  The body and head were laid in a coffin and buried decently, but with little ceremony, at the court church of the Hague.

“The States of Holland rendered to his memory that justice which he had been denied while living, by the words in which they recorded his death.  After stating the time and manner of it, and his long period of service to his country, the resolution concludes, ’a man of great activity, diligence, memory, and conduct; yea, remarkable in every respect.  Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall; and may God be merciful to his soul.’”

A very beautiful story is told of Barneveldt’s widow.  Her son plotting to avenge his father and crush the Stadtholder was discovered and imprisoned.  His mother visited Maurice to ask his pardon.  “Why,” said he, “how is this—­you value your son more than your husband!  You did not ask pardon for him.”  “No,” said Barneveldt’s widow; “I did not ask pardon for my husband, because he was innocent; I ask pardon for my son, because he is guilty.”