The Gate of Death
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: The Gate of Death
Scripture Reference:
- Isaiah 3 (further images / scripture text)
Description: A person turns his back to the World and proceeds to a tall, narrow gate with a skull on top of it. On the right of the gate sits Death with a bow and arrow and two devils studying the catalog of man’s sins; on the other side for the gate angels await him. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712), whose initials are at the lower right, was responsible for drawing and etching this emblem and for the poem that accompanies it (below). The attendant scripture text is Isaiah 3:10-11.
Poem:
There someone arrives from this world,
The path of Transitory life ended,
In order to pass now through the Gate of Death,
Into Eternity, to joy or to misery.
Well to him, if he left the World first,
When he could use her to his benefit,
Before she finally pushed him out,
And like a discharged servant abandoned him.
Woe to him, if he has loved the world,
And has held fast to her as long as he could,
In order to be her chosen friend,
Until she herself had to spit him out.
The Servants of the Light and the Dark,
They place themselves next to this gate, of separation,
And watch out, to whom he belongs,
In order to conduct him there in her company
They watch out, they look diligently ,
Examine their scroll, the register of sins;
They keenly lie in wait, as if for a fat catch,
Found at this place for their enjoyment.
Oh difficult state! Oh state of great importance!
If all those who enjoy good days,
Would only thoughtfully, with honest view,
See this great concern, timely from afar!
So each took this to heart,
That, when that hour is born for everyone,
He were allowed to stand in the eye of the Lord,
And were allowed to belong to the rank of the Angels;
So that the dread, of hell’s wicked servant,
Who looks out for his Master’s inheritance,
With his pleading and imagined right,
Must yield to the authority of true virtue.
Oh Man! remain in front of this mirror,
Since nobody can escape that path and Gate.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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