The Dance Of Death - free ebook by Gilles Corrozet

The Dance of Death

New York Scott-Thaw Company mcmiii [4] Copyright, 1903, by Scott-Thaw Company The Heintzemann Press, Boston...

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The Book

" Les Simulachres &amp; Historiées Faces de la Mort avtant elegamtment pourtraictes, que artificiellement imaginées. " This may be Englished as follows: The Images and Storied Aspects of Death, as elegantly delineated as [they are] ingeniously imagined. Such is the literal title of the earliest edition of the famous book now familiarly known as " Holbein's Dance of Death. " It is a small quarto , bearing on its title-page, below the French words above quoted, a nondescript emblem with the le

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The Artist

From the date of the editio princeps it might be supposed that the designs were executed at or about 1538—the year of its publication. But this is not the case; and there is good evidence that they were not only designed but actually cut on the wood some eleven years before the book itself was published. There are, in fact, several sets of impressions in the British Museum, the Berlin Museum, the Basle Museum, the Imperial Library at Paris, and the Grand Ducal Cabinet at Carlsruhe, all of which

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The Woodcutter

But besides revealing an inventor of the highest order, the Dance of Death also discloses an interpreter in wood of signal, and even superlative, ability. The designs are cut—to use the word which implies the employment of the knife as opposed to that of the graver—in a manner which has never yet been excelled. In this matter there could be no better judge than Mr. W. J. Linton; and he says that nothing, either by knife or by graver, is of higher quality than these woodcuts. Yet the woodcutter's

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Other Reproductions

The Dance of Death has been frequently copied. Mr. W. J. Linton enumerates a Venice reproduction of 1545; and a set (enlarged) by Jobst Dienecker of Augsburg in 1554. Then there is the free copy, once popular with our great grandfathers, by Bewick's younger brother John, which Hodgson of Newcastle published in 1789 under the title of Emblems of Mortality . Wenceslaus Hollar etched thirty of the designs in 1651, and in 1788 forty-six of them were etched by David Deuchar. In 1832 they were reprodu

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The Present Issue

The copies given in the present issue are impressions from the blocks engraved in 1833 for Douce's Holbein's Dance of Death . They are the best imitations in wood, says Mr. Linton. It is of course true, as he also points out, that a copy with the graver can never quite faithfully follow an original which has been cut with the knife,—more especially, it may be added, when the cutter is a supreme craftsman like him of Luxemburg. But against etched, lithographed, phototyped and otherwise-processed

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(CHANT ROYAL, AFTER HOLBEIN)1

" Contra vim Mortis Non est medicamen in hortis. " He is the despots' Despot. All must bide, Later or soon, the message of his might; Princes and potentates their heads must hide, Touched by the awful sigil of his right; Beside the Kaiser he at eve doth wait And pours a potion in his cup of state; The stately Queen his bidding must obey; No keen-eyed Cardinal shall him affray; And to the Dame that wantoneth he saith— "Let be, Sweet-heart, to junket and to play." There is no king more terrible th

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ENVOY.

Youth, for whose ear and monishing of late, I sang of Prodigals and lost estate, Have thou thy joy of living and be gay; But know not less that there must come a day,— Aye, and perchance e'en now it hasteneth,— When thine own heart shall speak to thee and say,— There is no king more terrible than Death. 1877. A. D. 1 ( return ) This Chant Royal of the King of Terrors is—with Mr. Austin Dobson's consent—here reprinted from his Collected Poems , 1896. N.B.—The German titles are in general moderniz

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[Added in later editions]

Death, armed only with a bone and shield, fights with the Soldier on the field of battle. Death and the Devil seize upon the Gambler at his cards. Men and women carouse: down the throat of one bloated fellow Death pours the wine. The Fool dances along the highway with Death, who plays the bagpipes. Death seizes the Robber in the act of pillage. Death leads the Blind Man by his staff. The waggon is overturned; one Death carries off a wheel, the other loosens the fastening of a cask. The Beggar, l

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I.

[46] Formauit Dominvs Devs hominem de limo terræ, ad imaginē suam creauit illum, masculum &amp; fœminam creauit eos. Genesis i. &amp; ii. DIEV, Ciel, Mer, Terre, procrea De rien demonstrant sa puissance Et puis de la terre crea L'homme, &amp; la femme a sa semblance. [49]...

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II.

[48] Quia audisti vocem vxoris tuæ, &amp; comedisti de ligno ex quo preceperam tibi ne comederes, &amp;c. Genesis iii. ADAM fut par EVE deceu Et contre DIEV mangea la pomme, Dont tous deux ont la Mort receu, Et depuis fut mortel tout homme. [51]...

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III.

[50] Emisit eum Dominvs Devs de Paradiso voluptatis, vt operaretur terram de qua sumptus est. Genesis iii. DIEV chassa l'homme de plaisir Pour uiure au labeur de ses mains: Alors la Mort le uint saisir, Et consequemment tous humains. [53]...

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IV.

[52] Maledicta terra in opere tuo, in laboribus comedes cunctis diebus vitæ tuæ, donec reuertaris, &amp;c. Genesis iii. Mauldicte en ton labeur la terre. En labeur ta uie useras, Iusques que la Mort te soubterre. Toy pouldre en pouldre tourneras. [55]...

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V.

[54] Væ væ væ habitantibus in terra. Apocalypsis viii. Cuncta in quibus spiraculum vitæ est, mortua sunt. Genesis vii. Malheureux qui uiuez au monde Tousiours remplis d'aduersitez, Pour quelque bien qui uous abonde, Serez tous de Mort uisitez. [57]...

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VI.

[56] Moriatur sacerdos magnus. Iosve xx. Et episcopatum eius accipiat alter. Psalmista cviii. Qui te cuydes immortel estre Par Mort seras tost depesché, Et combien que tu soys grand prebstre, Vng aultre aura ton Euesché. [59]...

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VII.

[58] Dispone domui tuæ, morieris enim tu, &amp; non viues. Isaiæ xxxviii. Ibi morieris, &amp; ibi erit currus gloriæ tuæ. Isaiæ xxii. De ta maison disposeras Comme de ton bien transitoire, Car là ou mort reposeras, Seront les chariotz de ta gloire. [61]...

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VIII.

[60] Sicut &amp; rex hodie est, &amp; cras morietur, nemo enim ex regibus aliud habuit. Ecclesiastici x. Ainsi qu'auiourdhuy il est Roy, Demain sera en tombe close. Car Roy aulcun de son arroy N'a sceu emporter aultre chose. [63]...

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IX.

[62] Væ qui iustificatis impium pro muneribus, &amp; iustitiam iusti aufertis ab eo. Esaiæ v. Mal pour uous qui iustifiez L'inhumain, &amp; plain de malice Et par dons le sanctifiez, Ostant au iuste sa iustice. [65]...

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X.

[64] Gradientes in superbia potest Deus humiliare. Danie iiii. Qui marchez en pompe superbe La Mort vng iour uous pliera. Cõme soubz uoz piedz ployez l'herbe Ainsi uous humiliera. [67]...

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XI.

[66] Mulieres opulentæ surgite, &amp; audite vocem meam. Post dies, &amp; annum, &amp; vos conturbemini. Isaiæ xxxii. Leuez uous dames opulentes. Ouyez la uoix des trespassez. Apres maintz ans &amp; iours passez, Serez troublées &amp; doulentes. [69]...

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XII.

[68] Percutiam pastorem, &amp; dispergentur oues. xxvi. Mar. xiiii. Le pasteur aussi frapperay, Mitres &amp; crosses renuersées. Et lors quand ie l'attrapperay, Seront ses brebis dispersées. [71]...

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XIII.

[70] Princeps induetur mœrore. Et quiescere faciam superbiã potentium. Ezechie. vii. Vien, prince, auec moy, &amp; delaisse Honneurs mondains tost finissantz. Seule suis qui, certes, abaisse L'orgueil &amp; pompe des puissantz. [73]...

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XIV.

[72] Ipse morietur. Quia nõ habuit disciplinam, &amp; in multitudine stultitiæ suæ decipietur. Prover. v. Il mourra. Car il n'a receu En soy aulcune discipline, Et au nombre sera deceu De folie qui le domine. [75]...

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XV.

[74] Laudaui magis mortuos quàm viuentes. Eccle. iiii. I'ay tousiours les mortz plus loué Que les uisz, esquelz mal abonde, Toucesfoys la Mort ma noué Au ranc de ceulx qui sont au monde. [75b]...

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XVI.

[75a] Quis est homo qui viuet, &amp; non videbit mortem, eruet animã suam de manu inferi? Psal. lxxxviii. Qui est celluy, tant soit grande homme, Qui puisse uiure sans mourir? Et de la Mort, qui tout assomme, Puisse son Ame recourir? [77]...

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XVII.

[76] Ecce appropinquat hora. Mat. xxvi. Tu uas au choeur dire tes heures Paiant Dieu pour toy, &amp; ton proche. Mais il fault ores que tu meures. Voy tu pas l'heure qui approche? [79]...

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XVIII.

[78] Disperdam iudicem de medio eius. Amos ii. Du mylieu d'eulx uous osteray Iuges corrumpus par presentz. Point ne serez de Mort exemptz. Car ailleurs uous transporteray. [81]...

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XIX.

[80] Callidus vidit malum, &amp; abscõdit se innocens, pertransijt, &amp; afflictus est damno. Prover. xxii. L'homme cault a ueu la malice Pour l'innocent faire obliger, Et puis par uoye de iustice Est uenu le pauure affliger. [83]...

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XX.

[82] Qui obturat aurem suam ad clamorem pauperis, &amp; ipse clamabit, &amp; non exaudietur. Prover. xxi. Les riches conseillez tousiours, Et aux pauures clouez l'oreille. Vous crierez aux derniers iours, Mais Dieu uous fera la pareille. [85]...

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XXI.

[84] Væ qui dicitis malum bonum, &amp; bonum malū, ponentes tenebras lucem, &amp; lucem tenebras, ponentes amarum dulce, &amp; dulce in amarum. Isaiæ xv. Mal pour uous qui ainsi osez Le mal pour le bien nous blasmer, Et le bien pour mal exposez, Mettant auec le doulx l'amer. [87]...

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XXII.

[86] Sum quidem &amp; ego mortalis homo. Sap. vii. Ie porte le sainct sacrement Cuidant le mourant secourir, Qui mortel suis pareillement. Et comme luy me fault mourir. [89]...

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XXIII.

[88] Sedentes in tenebris, &amp; in vmbra mortis, vinctos in mendicitate. Psal. cvi. Toy qui n'as soucy, ny remord Sinon de ta mendicité, Tu fierras a l'umbre de Mort Pour t'ouster de necessité. [91]...

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XXIV.

[90] Est via quæ videtur homini iusta: nouissima autem eius deducunt hominem ad mortem. Prover. iiii. Telle uoye aux humains est bonne, Et a l'homme tresiuste semble. Mais la fin d'elle a l'homme donne, La Mort, qui tous pecheurs assemble. [93]...

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XXV.

[92] Melior est mors quàm vita. Eccle. xxx. En peine ay uescu longuement Tant que nay plus de uiure enuie, Mais bien ie croy certainement, Meilleure la Mort que la uie. [95]...

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XXVI.

[94] Medice, cura teipsum. Lvcæ iiii. Tu congnoys bien la maladie Pour le patient secourir, Et si ne scais teste estourdie, Le mal dont tu deburas mourir. [97]...

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XXVII.

[96] Indica mihi si nosti omnia. Sciebas quòd nasciturus esses, &amp; numerum dierum tuorum noueras? Iob xxviii. Tu dis par Amphibologie Ce qu'aux aultres doibt aduenir. Dy moy donc par Astrologie Quand tu deburas a moy uenir? [99]...

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XXVIII.

[98] Stulte hac nocte repetunt animam tuam, &amp; quæ parasti cuius erunt? Lvcæ xii. Ceste nuict la Mort te prendra, Et demain seras enchassé. Mais dy moy, fol, a qui uiendra Le bien que tu as amassé? [101]...

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XXIX.

[100] Qui congregat thesauros mendacij vanus &amp; excors est, &amp; impingetur ad laqueos mortis. Prover. xxi. Vain est cil qui amassera Grandz biens, &amp; tresors pour mentir, La Mort l'en fera repentir. Car en ses lacz surpris sera. [103]...

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XXX.

[102] Qui volunt diuites fieri incidunt in laqueum diaboli, &amp; desideria multa, &amp; nociua, quæ mergunt homines in interitum. I. Ad Timo. vi. Pour acquerir des biens mondains Vous entrez en tentation, Qui uous met es perilz soubdains, Et uous maine a perdition. [105]...

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XXXI.

[104] Subito morientur, &amp; in media nocte turbabuntur populi, &amp; auferent violentum absq e manu. Iob xxxiiii. Peuples soubdain s'esleuront A lencontre de l'inhumain, Et le uiolent osteront D'auec eulx sans force de main. [107]...

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XXXII.

[106] Quoniam cùm interiet non sumet secum omnia, neq e cum eo descẽdet gloria eius. Psal. xlviii. Auec soy rien n'emportera, Mais qu'une foys la Mort le tombe, Rien de sa gloire n'ostera, Pour mettre auec soy en sa tombe. [109]...

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XXXIII.

[108] Spiritus meus attenuabitur, dies mei breuiabuntur, &amp; solum mihi superest sepulchrum. Iob xvii. Mes esperitz sont attendriz, Et ma uie s'en ua tout beau. Las mes longziours sont amoindriz, Plus ne me reste qu'un tombeau. [111]...

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XXXIV.

[110] Ducunt in bonis dies suos, &amp; in puncto ad inferna descendunt. Iob xxi. En biens mõdains leurs iours despendẽt En uoluptez, &amp; en tristesse, Puis soubdain aux Enfers descendent Ou leur ioye passe en tristesse. [113]...

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XXXV.

[112] Me &amp; te sola mors separabit. Rvth. i. Amour qui unyz nous faict uiure, En foy noz cueurs preparera, Qui long temps ne nous pourra suyure, Car la Mort nous separera. [115]...

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XXXVI.

[114] De lectulo super quem ascendisti non descendes, sed morte morieris. iiii. Reg. i. Du lict sus lequel as monté Ne descendras a ton plaisir. Car Mort t'aura tantost dompté, Et en brief te uiendra saisir. [117]...

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XXXVII.

[116] Venite ad me qui onerati estis. Matth. xi. Venez, &amp; apres moy marchez Vous qui estes par trop charge. Cest assez suiuy les marchez: Vous serez par moy decharge. [119]...

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XXXVIII.

[118] In sudore vultus tui vesceris pane tuo. Gene. i. A la sueur de ton uisaige Tu gaigneras ta pauure uie. Apres long trauail, &amp; usaige, Voicy la Mort qui te conuie. [121]...

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XXXIX.

[120] Homo natus de muliere, breui viuens tempore repletur multis miserijs, qui quasi flos egreditur, &amp; conteritur, &amp; fugit velut vmbra. Iob xiiii. Tout homme de la femme yssant Remply de misere, &amp; d'encombre, Ainsi que fleur tost finissant. Sort &amp; puis fuyt comme faict l'umbre. [123]...

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XL.

[122] Omnes stabimus ante tribunal domini. Roma. xiiii. Vigilate, &amp; orate, quia nescitis qua hora venturus sit dominus. Matt. xxiiii. Deuante le trosne du grand iuge Chascun de soy compte rendra Pourtant ueillez, qu'il ne uous iuge. Car ne scauez quand il uiendra. [125] [124] Memorare nouissima, &amp; in æternum non peccabis. Eccle. vii. Si tu ueulx uiure sans peché Voy ceste imaige a tous propos, Et point ne seras empesché, Quand tu t'en iras a repos. [126] [127]...

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XLII.

[128] Cum fortis armatus custodit atriũ suũ, &amp;c. Si autem fortior eo superueniens vicerit eum, uniuersa eius arma aufert, in quibus confidebat. Le sort armé en jeune corps Pense auoir seure garnison; Mais Mort plus forte, le met hors De sa corporelle maison. [131]...

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XLIII.

[130] Quid prodest homini, si vniuersum Mundum lucretur, animæ autem suæ detrimentum patiatur? Matt. xvi. Que vault à l'homme tout le Monde Gaigner d'hazard, &amp; chance experte, S'il recoit de sa uie immonde Par Mort, irreparable perte? [133]...

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XLIV.

[132] Ne inebriemini vino, in quo est luxuria. Ephes. v. De vin (auquel est tout exces) Ne vous enyurez pour dormir Sommeil de Mort qui au deces Vous face l'ame, &amp; sang vomir. [135]...

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XLV.

[134] Quasi agnus lasciuiens, &amp; ignorans, nescit quòd ad vincula stultus trahatur. Proverb vii. Le Fol vit en ioye, &amp; deduict San scavoir qu'il s'en va mourant, Tant qu'à sa fin il est conduict Ainsi que l'agneau ignorant. [137]...

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XLVI.

[136] Domine, vim patior. Isaiæ xxxviii. La foible femme brigandée Crie, O seigneur on me fait force. Lors de Dieu la mort est mandée, Qui les estrangle à dure estorce. [139]...

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XLVII.

[138] Cæcus cæcum ducit: &amp; ambo in foueam cadunt. Matth. xv. L'aueugle un autre aueugle guide, L'un par l'autre en la fosse tombe: Car quand plus oultre aller il cuide, La Mort l'homme iecte en la tombe. [141]...

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XLVIII.

[140] Corruit in curru suo. i Chron. xxii. Au passage de Mort peruerse Raison, chartier tout esperdu, Du corps le char, &amp; cheuaux verse, Le vin (sang de vie) espandu. [143]...

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XLIX.

[142] Miser ego homo! Quis nie liberabit de corpore mortis huius? Rom. vii. Qui hors la chair veult en Christ viure Ne craint mort, mais dit un mortel, Helas, qui me rendra deliure Pouure homme de ce corps mortel? [144] [145] Of this edition of Holbein's "The Dance of Death," seven hundred and fifty copies have been printed on Japan vellum, for the Scott-Thaw Co., by the Heintzemann Press, July, MCMIII....

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