Indica mihi, si nosti, omnia sciebas. Tunc quod nasciturus esses? & numerum dierum tuorum noveras? Job xxxviii. 18, 21.
PLANCHE XVI.—L’ASTROLOGUE.
Il a les yeux fixés sur une sphère suspendue au plancher, & paroît profondément occupé des vaines chimères de l’astrologie judiciaire, tandis que la Mort vient tourner son attention sur une tête de mort, qu’elle lui présente dans l’attitude la plus grotesque, & semble lui dire d’un ton railleur; Ton art sublime a-t-il pu t’apprendre que je viendrois te rendre aujourd’hui cette visite?
PLATE XVII.—THE EMPEROR.
Seated on a throne, and holding in his hand the sword of state, he is attentively listening to an advocate pleading in a soothing tone, against an unfortunate peasant, who trembling waits, in the most suppliant posture, the decree that is to determine his fate. Death at this moment displays all his power; he proudly takes possession of the bottom of the throne, and is carelessly leaning his arm on the Monarch’s crown. The angry aspect, with which the Emperor views the advocate and his two clients, who are seen standing with their heads uncovered, is a happy presage for the poor oppressed peasant. At the foot of the throne are lying the sceptre and globe of the empire, placed on a cushion. Death has set down his fatal glass beside these attributes of grandeur, which he can cause to vanish at his pleasure.
Dispone domui tuæ, quia morieris tu, et non vives. Isaiæ xxxviii. 1.