The content of the poems in the collection falls mostly in three categories: historical characters, locations set in a specific time period, and French symbolist poetry.

The last poem shows Clothar's affection for his cruel mother Fredegund and describes her grave; he caresses, in "secret sin", a miniature of her.

[1] In that same cycle, Chlothar is aroused at night by the image of a woman, a singular dreamed figure set apart from the other women at the court.

Literary critic H. A. Gomperts cites this as one example of the treatment of women in Slauerhoff's poetry: an unapproachable or unattainable woman is simultaneously desired and rejected, and even despised for her lack of chastity, a reproach made to Fredegund as well.

Gomperts notes that one other poem in Saturnus, "Le passé vivant", also features the image of a lover breaking through glass—in that case, a mirror.