The Dance of Death: Exhibited in Elegant Engravings on Wood with a Dissertation on the Several Representations of that Subject but More Particularly on Those Ascribed to Macaber and Hans HolbeinDouce, Francis
History
The Dance of Death: Exhibited in Elegant Engravings on Wood with a Dissertation on the Several Representations of that Subject but More Particularly on Those Ascribed to Macaber and Hans Holbein
Douce, Francis
Bible. Old Testament -- Illustrations; Dance of death
41. THE GAMESTERS. Death and the Devil are disputing the possession of one
of the gamesters, whom both have seized. Another seems to be interceding
with the Devil on behalf of his companion, whilst a third is scraping
together all the money on the table. "Quid prodest homini, si universum
mundum lucretur, animæ autem suæ detrimentum patiatur?" Mat. xvi.
42. THE DRUNKARDS. They are assembled in a brothel, and intemperately
feasting. Death pours liquor from a flaggon into the mouth of one of the
party. "Ne inebriemini vino, in quo est luxuria." Ephes. v.
43. THE IDEOT FOOL. He is mocking Death, by putting his finger in his
mouth, and at the same time endeavouring to strike him with his
bladder-bauble. Death smiling, and amused at his efforts, leads him away
in a dancing attitude, playing at the same time on a bag-pipe. "Quasi
agnus lasciviens, et ignorans, nescit quod ad vincula stultus trahatur."
Prover. vii.
44. THE ROBBER. Whilst he is about to plunder a poor market-woman of her
property, Death comes behind and lays violent hands on him. "Domine vim
patior." Isaiæ xxxviii.
45. THE BLIND MAN. Carefully measuring his steps, and unconscious of his
perilous situation, he is led on by Death, who with one hand takes him by
the cloak, both parties having hold of his staff. "Cæcus cæcum ducit: et
ambo in foveam cadunt." Matt. xv.
46. THE WAGGONER. His cart, loaded with wine casks, has been overturned,
and one of his horses thrown down by two mischievous Deaths. One of them
is carrying off a wheel, and the other is employed in wrenching off a tie
that had secured one of the hoops of the casks. The poor affrighted
waggoner is clasping his hands together in despair. "Corruit in curru
suo." 1 Chron. xxii.
47. THE BEGGAR. Almost naked, his hands joined together, and his head
turned upwards as in the agonies of death, he is sitting on straw near the
gate of some building, perhaps an hospital, into which several persons are
entering, and some of them pointing to him as an object fit to be
admitted. On the ground lie his crutches, and one of his legs is swathed
with a bandage. A female is looking on him from a window of the building.
"Miser ego homo! quis me liberabit de corpore mortis hujus?" Rom. vii.
48. THE LAST JUDGMENT. Christ sitting on a rainbow, and surrounded by a
group of angels, patriarchs, &c. rests his feet on a globe of the
universe. Below, are several naked figures risen from their graves, and
stretching out their hands in the act of imploring judgment and mercy.
"Memorare novissima, et in æternum non peccabis." Eccle. vii.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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