The Wolf: Ruin Is Nearby
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: The Wolf: Ruin Is Nearby
Scripture Reference:
- Ezekiel 22 (further images / scripture text)
Description: A wolf, with a skeleton next to it, lies in the foreground. In the distance, a shepherd herds his flock of sheep. 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 Ezekiel 22:27.
Motto: Fear and dread, Must be there.
Poem:
The cunning Wolf, that hunts the little Sheep,
And daily waylays it as its prey,
So as to catch and eat it,
That has its wicked den not far,
But in the shelter of the heart,
Where it is like a resident.
There it begets young wolves,
Also trained for blood and killing,
Therefore, do not go outside, to graze alone,
O little Sheep of the waylaid heart,
That yearns for and desires the eternal good,
But do remain beside thy Shepherd.
Until thou by his good hand,
Art led into a certain land,
Where no wolf is ever found,
Which like here acts dreadfully,
In the wild wood of flesh and blood,
That shelter of the wolf of sins.
Do then remain suspicious of this region,
So that thou dost beware of the evil.
(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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