The Hermit

Todt zum Waldbruder: BRuder komm du auß deiner Clauß, Halt still das liecht lösch ich dir auß, Drumb mach dich mit mir auff die Fahrt, Mtt deinem weissen langen Bart.	Death to The Hermit Brother, come out of your retreat, Stand still, I'll relieve you of the lantern. Therefore, prepare yourself for the travel with me with your white, long beard.

Der Waldbruder: ICh hab getragen lange Zeit Ein härin Kleyd, hilfft mich jetzt nit: Bin nicht sicher in meiner Clauß, Die Stund ist hie, mein G'bett ist auß.	The Hermit. I have for a long time carried a hairy dress. It doesn't help me now. I'm not safe in my retreat. The time is up, my prayer is finished.

Klein-Basel, Hermit.
Line drawing after Büchel

In Holbein's dance of death, Death plays the drums for the noblewoman and her husband.

Death happily drums on the hermit's lantern, but this appears to be a new addition, from the time that Hans Kluber renovated the mural in 1568.

The mural in Kleinbasel (to the left) was destroyed at this point because a window had been added, but one can still see that Death was empty-handed. Hans Kluber has let himself inspire by Holbein's dance of death, where Death plays the drums for the noblewoman.

On the other hand, Holbein has in turn probably gotten the idea with Death having a drum fastened around his waist from the picture of the pope in Basel's dance of death.

Fragment of original

At the museum in Basel there's still a fragment of the hermit (picture to the right).