Basel: Kejserinden

Todt zur Keyserin:
ICh tantz euch vor Fraw Keyserin,
   Springen hernach, der Tantz ist mein:
Euwr Hofleut sind von Euch gewichen,
   Der Todt hat euch hie auch erschlichen.

Die Keyserin.
VIel Wollüst hat mein stoltzer Leib,
   Ich lebt alß eines Keysers Weib:
Nun muß ich an diesen Tantz kommen,
   Mir ist all Muth vnd Frewd genommen.

Empress, for you I lead the way,
The dance is mine, come quick, I pray;
Your ladies leave you all alone
And death now claims you as his own.

I've led a most luxurious life,
Because I was an Emperor's wife;
But now I'm forced to such a dance
All joy and gladness sink at once.

    Death to the Emperess.
I dance to you, lady emperess fine,
Leap after me, the dance is mine,
Of your courtiers you are forsaken,
And by death you are, overtaken.

    Answer of the Emperess.
My body had much luxurious pride,
I lived as a hight emperor's wife.
Now I am forced to this dance,
All mirth and spirit goes at once.