The Count

Todt zum Graffen:
HErr Graff gebt mir das Bottenbrodt,
   Es zeucht euch hin der bitter Todt:
Lasst euch nicht rewen Weib vnd Kind,
   Ihr müsst tantzen mit diesem G'sind.

Der Graff:
IN dieser Welt war ich bekannt,
   Darzu ein Edler Graff genannt:
Nun bin ich von dem Todt gefellt,
   Vnd her an diesen Tantz gestellt.

Sir Earl, give me the runner's fee;
Most bitter news Death brings to thee;
For wife and child do not complain,
You now must dance with vulgar men.

Throughout the world I was well famed
And noble Earl was always named,
Now Death has struck me down at once
And borne me off to join his dance.

Lord count give me the messengers fee,
Bitter death draw's you away you see;
Do not repine at your wife and cattle,
You must dance now with this rabble.

In this world I was well renoun'd,
And even cal'd a noble count;
Now am I slain by death at once,
And placed here in to his dance.