The Dances of Death: Through the Various Stages of Human Life: Wherein the Capriciousness of that Tyrant is Exhibited — John Shaqi
The Dances of Death: Through the Various Stages of Human Life: Wherein the Capriciousness of that Tyrant is Exhibited
Philosophy
The Dances of Death: Through the Various Stages of Human Life: Wherein the Capriciousness of that Tyrant is Exhibited
Dance of death; Dance of death in art
Il paroît que ce suppôt de Thémis, oubliant la dignité de sa place,
s’abandonne sans pudeur à l’iniquité. Il tend la main à l’or que cet
homme riche va lui donner, sans doute pour en obtenir un jugement
favorable, & faire succomber le pauvre malheureux qu’on voit dans une
attitude craintive à côté du Juge. La Mort vient le surprendre au milieu
de ses prévarications, & lui arrache des mains la baguette qui est la
marque de sa dignité.
PLATE XXX.—THE COUNSELLOR.
This magistrate appears deeply engaged in giving, in the open street, to
a rich man, the advices which a little devil, astride on his neck, is
blowing into his ears, while he pays no sort of regard to the poor man,
who is tapping his shoulder, and in the most suppliant posture asking to
be heard. Death seems to be rising from the earth, in indignation, to put
an end to this interesting conversation.
[Illustration: _Qui obturat aurem suam ad clamorem pauperis, et ipse
clamabit, & non exaudietur. Prov. xxi. 13._]
PLANCHE XXX.—LE CONSEILLER.
Ce magistrat paroît fort occupé à donner en pleine rue à un homme riche,
des conseils qu’un petit diable à califourchon sur son cou lui souffle
aux oreilles, tandis qu’il ne fait aucune attention au pauvre qui lui
touche doucement l’épaule, & démande dans l’attitude la plus suppliante à
être écouté. La Mort indignée semble sortir de terre, pour mettre fin à
cette conversation intéressée.
PLATE XXXI.—THE ADVOCATE.
This subject answers to No. 29. The example of the Judge seems to
authorize the Advocate to get himself well paid for his prevarication,
and that even in the presence of his poor client, whose wretched
condition would raise compassion in any breast less obdurate than that of
the lawyer. But Death will avenge the oppressed; he is pouring into the
hands of the Advocate money in abundance, of which he will have little
use, for he is, at the same instant, shewing him, with an air of insult,
his sand run out.
[Illustration: _Callidus vidit malum, & abscondit, sed innocens
pertransiit & afflictus est damno. Prov. xxii. 3._]
PLANCHE XXXI.—L’AVOCAT.
Ce sujet se rapporte au No. 29. L’exemple du Juge semble autoriser
l’Avocat à se faire payer chèrement ses prévarications, & cela même en
présence de son pauvre client qui se tient dans un certain éloignement,
& dont l’état misérable feroit pitié à une âme moins dure que celle de
l’homme de loi. Mais la Mort vengera l’opprimé; elle verse abondamment
dans les mains de l’Avocat de l’argent dont il ne profitera guère, car
elle lui montre en même tems d’un air moqueur son sable écoulé.
PLATE XXXII.—THE MERCHANT.
Escaped from the dangers of the sea, and safely arrived in port, this
rich Merchant believes himself now in perfect safety; but he is mistaken.
Employed in counting his money, examining his goods, and treating about
their disposal, a bad customer, Death himself, comes up, and it is his
person only that he wants to bargain for.
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