The Young Woman

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Basel's dance of death, The Young woman  
 
Todt zur Jungfrawen:
ACh Jungfraw euwer roter Mund
Wird bleich jetzund zu dieser Stund:
Ihr sprungen gern mit jungen Knaben,
Mit mir mußt jhr ein Vortantz haben.		 Death to the Maiden
Alas Maiden, your red mouth
becomes pale now in this moment.
You like to dance with young boys,
you must have an opening dance(1) with me.
 
Die Jungfraw:
O Wee, wie grewlich hast mich gfangen,
Mir ist all Muth und Frewd vergangen:
Zu tantzen glust mich nimmermeh,
Ich fahr dahin, ade, ade.		 The Maiden.
Oh woe, how terribly you have caught me.
All spirits and pleasure have left me.
I never want to dance anymore.
I'm going away, farewell, farewell.

Footnotes: (1)

Opening dance. . .: A "Vortantz" is a dance at the beginning by the first (leading) couple, who open the dance.

Logically this honour belongs, not to the young woman, but to the first dancer in the procession. That's why Death has already promised this dance to the pope: »Komm heiliger Vatter werther Mann, Ein Vortantz müßt ihr mit mir han:«

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Basel's Dance of Death Dances of death Basel Young woman