May 13 1619, The Hague

Today was the day. You pleaded Maurits of Nassau not to go through with it. Your husband, Johan of Oldenbarnevelt, was to be executed today

You didn’t want to talk about everything you two did together. As while it was the 17th century, he did have political views ahead of his time and had done nothing wrong

He wanted an armistice with Spain, that’s what he did. Nothing else that was wrong, for this time at least

You stood there with his mother and your son, begging Maurits not to execute him. But now you stood here, seeing him stand there

He spoke his famous words, saying he wasn’t a traitor and was a good man, and he’ll die like a good man

You stood from a distance, not wanting to watch him. But you shouldn’t look away, that’s cowardice

The sword got lifted after his last words, your husband kneeled. And there went his head. A tear left your eye, he really was gone now

And then you saw Maurits. Having to hide his grin. He took everything from you