Basel: The Knight

Todt zum Ritter:
HErr Ritter jhr sind angeschrieben,
   Ritterschafft die müssen jhr treiben,
Mit dem Tode vnd seinen Knechten,
   Es hilfft weder streitten noch fechten.

Der Ritter:
ICh alß ein strenger Ritter gut
   Hab der Welt dient mit hohem Muth:
Nun bin ich wider Ritters Orden
   An diesen Tantz gezwungen worden.

Sir Knight, your name is in my list
From fighting you could ne'er desist,
But when you must with Death contend,
Your power and skill are at an end.

As true and valiant Knight I've served
The world, and ne'er from duty swerved;
But now against all Knighthood's law
Does Death to his dread dance me draw.

    Death to the Knight.
Lord knight you are written down,
Knighthood you must carry on,
With death and his rabble,
It helps neither fighting nor battle.

    Answer of the Knight.
I as a good and severe knight,
Have served this world with might,
Now I am against knighthoods law,
Forced to his dance, o woe!.