The Dance of Death.
109
thandlern zu finden." On the back of this printedtitle is an engraving of a hand issuing from the cloudsand holding a pair of scales, in one of which is a skull,in the other a Papal tiara, sceptre, &c. weighing downthe skull. On the beam of the scales an hour-glass andan open book with Arabic numerals. In the distance, atbottom, is seen a traveller reposing in a shed. Above isa label, inscribed "Metas et tempora libro," and below,"Ich Wage ziel und zeitten ab." Then follows a neatlyengraved and regular title-page. At top, a winged skullsurmounted with an hour-glass, and crossed with a spadeand scythe. At bottom, three figures of Death sitting onthe ground; one of them plays on a hautboy, or trumpet,another on a bagpipe, and the third has a drum behind him.The middle exhibits a circular Dance of Death leading bythe hand persons of all ranks, from the Emperor downwards.In the centre of this circle " Toden Tantz zu finden beyPaulus Furst Kunst handlern," and quite at the bottom ofthe page, " G. Stra. in. A. Khol fecit." Next comes anexhortation on Death to the reader in Latin verse, followedby several poems in German and Latin, those in Germansigned G. P. H. Immediately afterwards, and before thefirst cut of the work is another elegantly engraved fron-tispiece, representing an arched gate of stone surmountedwith three skulls of a Pope, a Cardinal, and a King, betweena vase of flowers on the right, and a pot of incense, a cockstanding near it, on the left. On the keystone of the gateare two tilting lances in saltier, to which a shield andhelmet are suspended. Through the arch is seen achamber, in which there seems to be a bier, and near it across. On the left of the gate is a niche with a skull andbones in it. Below are two large figures of Death. Thaton the left has a wreath of flowers round its head, and isbeating a bell with a bone. Under him is an owl, and onthe side of his left knee a scythe. The other Death has acap and feather, in his right hand an hour-glass, the leftpointing to the opposite figure. On the ground betweenthem, a bow, a quiver of arrows, and a dart. On the leftinner side of the gate a pot with holy water is suspended toa ring, the sprinkler being a bone. Further on, within thegate, is a flat stone on which are several skulls and bones,