Basel: The Empress

The Empress

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.	Death to The Empres I dance before(1) you, Mrs. Empress, Dance after, the dance is mine. Your courtiers have left you, Death has here sneaked up on you too.

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.	The empress. My proud body had much pleasure. I lived as an emperor's wife. Now I must come to this dance. All spirits and joy have been taken from me.

The dialogue between Death and the empress is very reminiscent of Heidelberg's block book and other versions of the high German dance of death.

English translation from Beck, 1852
Death to the Empress.	The Empress' reply.
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.
Translation from Hess, 1841
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.

Various Artists

Merian (1621)

Chovin (1744)

Büchel (1768)

Büchel (1773)

Girardet (1786)

Feyerabend (1806)

Hess (1841)

Beck (1852)

Stuckert (1858)

Footnotes: (1)

dance before. . .: German "Tanzen vor" means to execute the steps of the dance, so the partner or the audience can learn the dance.