Thieves robbing ready furnished lodgings, scene Madrid

Striding toward a "Lake of Blood," Joseph Bonaparte's face is etched with a worried expression echoed by his speech; "Where shall I fly; how shall I cross that Lake! Good Mr. Devil, save me." He is represented in profile and appears immune to the scene of violence and plunder that erupts all around him. While Joseph's crown falls from his head, he attempts to pull a blanket--labeled "Spanish Wool and Sundries taken from the Palace--late my Lodgings"--tighter across his shoulders. In addition, he carries a mitered crown tied to his shoulder and, from his waist, a golden crucifix and pouch labeled "Sly Bag" are obvious. Several winged demons circle around the image. One in particular, a large she-demon, addresses Joseph offering him a pistol or the gallows, and orders "Take your choice SON." Other demons offer poisonous cups, and those titled "Brethren" rain arrows down on Joseph's troops. Immediately behind Joseph, a Spanish officer falls, wounded, to the ground. Also, at the right border of the image, a woman and a child lie dead on the ground. These are the victims of the French troops whose musket fire is leveled at the Spanish citizens arriving to protect their church treasures from the plundering army. French troops carrying sacks of gold, church plate, dollars and other goods, march along the horizon line. Behind them, the "Reward of Merit," a large wooden gallows, acts as a sign post directing them on towards France on the "Road to Ruin." Striding toward a "Lake of Blood," Joseph Bonaparte's face is etched with a worried expression echoed by his speech; "Where shall I fly; how shall I cross that Lake! Good Mr. Devil, save me." He is represented in profile and appears immune to the scene of violence and plunder that erupts all around him. While Joseph's crown falls from his head, he attempts to pull a blanket--labeled "Spanish Wool and Sundries taken from the Palace--late my Lodgings"--tighter across his shoulders. In addition, he carries a mitered crown tied to his shoulder and, from his waist, a golden crucifix and pouch labeled "Sly Bag" are obvious. Several winged demons circle around the image. One in particular, a large she-demon, addresses Joseph offering him a pistol or the gallows, and orders "Take your choice SON." Other demons offer poisonous cups, and those titled "Brethren" rain arrows down on Joseph's troops. Immediately behind Joseph, a Spanish officer falls, wounded, to the ground. Also, at the right border of the image, a woman and a child lie dead on the ground. These are the victims of the French troops whose musket fire is leveled at the Spanish citizens arriving to protect their church treasures from the plundering army. French troops carrying sacks of gold, church plate, dollars and other goods, march along the horizon line. Behind them, the "Reward of Merit," a large wooden gallows, acts as a sign post directing them on towards France on the "Road to Ruin." [T.P.], published by [Walker]. Since the sheet in Brown's collection is not signed or dated, these attributions to both the engraver and the publisher are drawn from George's catalog. Broadley makes no attributions, instead labeling them as 'Anon.' 08-08-00 Dialogue: Large Winged Demon: "Take your choice SON" Smaller Demon: "Take this" Dying Spaniard: "Just Heaven Revenge our Cause." Dialogue: Joseph: "Where shall I Fly; how shall I cross that Lake! Good Mr Devil save me" Annotation: 43/2 Annotation: 1812 Annotation: THI, [23] [?] Collector's Mark: A