The Hart: Not This but Another
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: The Hart: Not This but Another
Scripture Reference:
- Genesis 25 (further images / scripture text)
Description: A deer is being chased by a hunter on his horse and his three dogs. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649–1712) was responsible for drawing this emblem and composed the poem that accompanies it. The etching was executed by Jan Luiken or his son Casper Luiken (1672–1708) who adapted this image from one used in an earlier work, which may be found in the Digital Image Archive under the call number 1699Weig. The attendant scripture text is Genesis 25:27.
Motto: The true Hunt, Is least considered.
Poem:
I know a Hart, if thou couldst catch that,
Thou who dost love the Hunt so dearly,
And dost frighten the innocent Animals,
So that thy desire is fed.
I know a Hart that in the fields,
And in the great wild woods,
(Whose name one can surely tell thee)
Constantly sojourns to and fro.
If thy diligence would gain that,
Thou wouldst find a golden collar and a jewel,
Which no Ruler,
(However great, Rich and unusual)
Could pay thee as reward,
Which thou wouldst take in safekeeping,
And thou wouldst tie the animal to be led,
And bring it into the peaceful court.
If thine observation listens to this,
So that it were made known to thee,
The favor which shall let thee hear it,
For look, it is thine own Heart.
That grazes on mountains and valleys,
That wanders in and out of woods,
That grazes and eats, as if without limits,
Vanity, as grass and herb,
That drinks from various brooks,
Of luxury and sin of the flesh,
(Those from the height of the world’s lakes)
The corruption of the Soul like water.
If thou dost not track it down,
And thus make it tired and weary,
Through the Hunt out of fear of God’s wrath,
So that thy hand grasps and lays hold of it,
Then another can do it easily, before long
And with the chase of his fierce dog
Waylay, hunt and catch it,
So it falls into the cruelest mouth.
O Man! Get going with man and horse,
To catch thy wild Heart.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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Rights Status: No Copyright - United States
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