VAN ELSEN
God spake three times and saved Van Elsen's soul; He spake by sickness first, and made him whole; Van Elsen heard him not, Or soon forgot.
God spake to him by wealth; the world outpoured5 Its treasures at his feet, and called him lord; Van Elsen's heart grew fat And proud thereat.
God spake the third time when the great world smiled, And in the sunshine slew his little child;10 Van Elsen like a tree Fell hopelessly.
Then in the darkness came a voice which said, "As thy heart bleedeth, so My heart hath bled; As I have need of thee15 Thou needest Me." That night Van Elsen kissed the baby feet, And kneeling by the narrow winding-sheet Praised him with fervent breath Who conquered death. 20
-Frederick George Scott (By permission)
By what means is the introductory line kept distinct from the rest of the poem? (Introduction, p. [10].)
How does the reader indicate the comparatively long space of time which elapses between the events of the first, second, and third stanzas respectively? (Introduction, p. [9].)
Show that each of the first three stanzas falls according to meaning, into two parts. How does the reader indicate this division?
Why should the last two stanzas, in this respect, be together treated as one of the preceding? Illustrate by means of Pause.