Basel: The Executioner

Todt zum Blutvogt:
SInd jhr der HErr Vogt vbers Blut,
   Im roten Rock vnd im Beltzhut
Ihr sehen sawr, kehr mich nicht dran,
   Mein Vrtheil niemand brechen kan.

Der Blutvogt:
IM Ampt hab ich nicht braucht Gewalt,
   Was ich thät, war in Dieners G'stalt:
Durch mich ist g'schehen kein Vngleichs,
   Drumb nennt man mich ein Vogt deß Reichs.

Are you the sharp dread man of law?
Whose coat and cap keep rogues in awe;
Your look is sour, but what care I,
To change my sentence none need try.

No one by me was e'er oppress'd
I but fulfilled the law's behest,
From all the same respect I claimed
And King's Head-minister was named.

Der Tod zum Scharfrichter.
Auf, Blutmensch mit dem scharfen Schwerdt!
(Obschon von Fach mir lieb und werth): -
Ich sah Verbrecher samt den Guten,
Von deinen Henkerstreichen bluten.

Death to the Executioner
Up Blood-man! with the sharp sword!
(although by profession, [you are] dear and valued by me)
I saw criminals as well as the good [people]
bleeding from your executioner's art.

Antwort des Scharfrichters.
Geköpft, gerädert, strangulirt,
Hab ich, und sonst noch maltraitirt;
Ich war nur Werkzeug meiner Herren,
Sie solltest du zum Tanz begehren.

The executioner's answer.
Beheaded, broken, strangled
have I, and in other ways mistreated;
I was only a tool for my masters,
You should invite them to the dance.

    Death to the Executioner
Heigh ! man of blood with acute glave
Though in profession you are brave
But still I saw you executed
The innocents (like wretches confuted.)

    Answer of the Executioner.
I polled, I broke upon the wheel
I put to death by way of steel
But I was Organ for many a Lord
These get to dance they may afford.