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also published posthumously circa 1743-1750, but its authorship has been
disputed.

He is known as "the Dutch Hesiod". Hesiod was one of the earliest of the
great Greek poets circa 800 B.C.. Hesiod's "Works and Days" told about
the proper behavior of men in a peasant setting. Poot is also compared to
the poet Robert Burns.

H.K. Poot's works are said to demonstrate a historic peak of clever stylized
poetry in Dutch literature that has never again been equaled. His poems
have various lengths ranging from short to long. Many poems are tributes
to people - biblical figures, family, and friends. Three of his more famous
tributes are to his deceased daughter, to his father, and to his famous
friend the scientist Antony van Leeuwenhoek. Some poems appear to
contain humorous twists or moral lessons that would appeal to middle
class and working class Dutch. Some of his most popular poems describe
idyllic country settings and others extoll passionate love. His poetry
tended to be rhythmic and used a variety of rhyming schemes.

His heart was with the city of Delft. It was not a large city, yet it was very
important. It was the home of the royal House of Orange and the Orange
family was buried in the Old Church. Delft was a center for the arts, where
skilled craftsmen and famous artists like Vermeer lived. It was also a
popular tourist destination for British writers and artists. H.K. Poot was
acquainted with many of the writers, artists, and educated people of Delft.
He was a friend of the father of microscopy, Antony van Leeuwenhoek.
Poot wrote the epitaph on Leeuwenhoek's grave inside the Oude Kerk (Old
Church) in Delft. H.K. Poot is also buried inside the Old Church among the
historically important and famous people.

He was the son of the brother of a direct Poot ancestor, which makes him
a cousin. Drawings of him show a family likeness.

I have prepared a rough English translation of his tribute to his deceased
daughter Jacoba. Although the meter and the rhyming couplets are lost,
the deep feeling survives the translation.

On the Death of My Daughter (1733)
Jacoba entered reluctantly
into this base world;
And to the end she wrote to us
with her innocence.

Hers was a narrow window
that went slowly inert.
The mother kissed the sweetheart,
Empty weight from life's vision,
And called the little soul to return:

(revised 10-2005) - Historical Poots - - page 5 -