Even his enemies did not presume to deny him the praise of an excellent Poet; and Salmasius, in a letter written with design to lessen Grotius’s reputation, and dictated by jealousy, injustice, and spleen, allows however he was a great Poet.  “But,” he adds, “every one in this country prefers Barlaeus; and many, even Heinsius.”  Balzac, who in other things did justice to Grotius, wished he had employed his poetic talents only on proper subjects.  “I never saw,” says he, “the Swedish Ambassador, but I have long esteemed his genius:  and if he had not put the Institutes into verse, and published some other pieces of the same nature, I should esteem him still more.”  But it is proper to observe that these were the amusements of his childhood, and never intended to be made public.  Grotius had a meaner idea of his poetical talents, than even the rivals of his glory.  “As to merit in poetry (he writes to the President de Thou) I yield it to every one.”

It was William Grotius who published the collection of his brother’s poems.  Some of them, and these not the best, had been printed before in Germany very incorrect:  which induced William to look over his brother’s papers, extract the poems, and publish them with those already printed.  This Collection is dedicated to Vandermile, son-in-law of the Grand Pensionary Barnevelt, Deputy to the States General, Curator of the university of Leyden, and the great friend of Hugo Grotius.  The dedication is dated September 1, 1616.  A Letter of Grotius, written the 14th of December in the preceding year, informs us he was very averse to his brother’s project.  He foresaw that he would one day be reproached with this edition; which accordingly happened, particularly when, endeavouring to reconcile the two Religions, he incurred the hatred of Rivet and some other ministers, who seeking to destroy his reputation, declaimed against his epithalamiums, and found fault with his introducing the false divinities in the manner of the ancient poets, and his speaking of war rather as a zealous citizen, than a pacific Christian.  These reproaches touched him:  and in the latter part of his life he wished only his sacred poems had been preserved[49].  But, notwithstanding the peevishness of those Divines, Grotius’s Poems had a great run, were printed in England, and several times reprinted in Holland.

FOOTNOTES: 

[39]

     Area parva ducum, totus quam respicit orbis,
     Celsior una malis, et quam damnare ruinae
     Nunc quoque fata timent, alieno in littore resto. 
     Tertius annus abit; toties mutavimus hostem. 
     Saevit hiems pelago, morbisque furentibus aestas;
     Et nimium est quod fecit Iber crudelior armis. 
     In nos orta lues:  nullum est sine funere funus;
     Nec perimit mors una semel.  Fortuna, quid haeres? 
     Qua mercede tenes mixtos in sanguine manes? 
     Quis tumulos moriens hos occupet hoste perempto
     Quaeritur, et sterili tantum de pulvere pugna est.