Gedicht op het zwaard waarmee Johan van Oldenbarnevelt in 1619 zou zijn onthoofd Possibly 1744 - 1745

This is a poem from 1744 by Dirk Willink, written about the sword used in the 1619 beheading of Johan van Oldenbarnevelt. The sword, the "instrument of justice," is heavy with symbolism. In one sense, it’s a straightforward emblem of power and authority. But consider how the poem speaks of it: as an object stained with precious blood, touching the grey father. The sword transcends its immediate function, becoming a vessel of memory. Think of the countless swords across history. From the Roman gladius to medieval broadswords, they are potent symbols of both protection and violent authority. This duality echoes in mythological contexts. The sword has resurfaced in Wagnerian opera, wielded by gods and heroes. Ultimately, the sword is an ambivalent image, evoking both fear and a kind of tragic awe, speaking to our primal understanding of power, sacrifice, and memory.