REMBRANDT VAN RYN (1607-1669) A YOUNG POLICH CAVALIER

A YOUNG patrician horseman advances towards the right in a hilly landscape, on a light gray horse which bears a panther-skin for a saddle-cloth, and turns his handsome beardless face to the spectator. He wears a long light yellow tunic, closely fastened at the top with a number of blue buttons, tight red breeches, yellow boots, and a red cap with a wide border of fur. In his right hand, which is pressed against his side, he holds a mace; at his right side hangs an Oriental leather quiver and a bow; on either side, a long sword. The reins are of red Russian leather; a fox's brush dangles from the horse's neck. In the background is a large fortress on a high mountain; to the left at the foot of the mountain, a waterfall is distinguishable in the penumbra; to the right a little lake with buildings on the shores and a watch fire. The rays of the evening sun fall on the horseman from the left: —Quoted from Dr. Bode.

Painted about 1655. Exhibited at Amsterdam in 1898. From Count Tarnowski's Collection, Dzikow, Galicia. Does he ride to a bridal, a triumph, a dance or a fray, That he goes so alert, yet so careless, so stern and so gay? Loose seat in the saddle, short stirrup one hand on the mane Of the light stepping pony he guides with so easy a rein. What grace in his armor barbaric! sword battleaxe, bow, Full sheaf of long arrows, the leopard-skin flaunting below. Heart-conqueror, surely—his own is not given, awhile, Till she comes who shall win for herself that inscrutable smile. What luck had his riding, I wonder, romantic and bold? For he rides into darkness; the story shall never be told. Did he charge at Vienna, and fall in a splendid campaign? Did he fly from the Cossack, and perish, ingloriously slain? Ah, chivalrous Poland, forgotten, dishonored, a slave To thyself and the stranger, fair, hapless, beloved of the brave! —F. Warre Cornish on "The Polish Rider" in the Spectator.

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