Bleibach, The pope

The pope

Death to the pope
Zuem Bapst. Ich ziehe dir ab die dreyfach Cron, das zweyfach Creütz das hab ich schon, Zuem tantz geh mit mir jetz geschwind, du must auch tantzen wie das Kindt.	To the Pope. I'll pull away your triple crown, I already have the double cross. Go with me now to the dance quickly. You must also dance like the child.
The pope
Antwort Daß Du mir abziehst die dreifach Kron', Sehr Lang hab' ich gewartet drauf schon. Mit zum Tantz gehen möcht' ich geschwind, Wenn ich nur auch tantzen könnt wie das Kind.	Answer. That you take the triple crown off me, I have waited a very long time for this. I would like to go to the dance with you quickly, if only I could dance like the child.

Basel, the pope with a single cross

The allusions to the Pope's double cross and triple crown probably come from Basel, where Death says: »Das zweyfach Creutz vnd dreyfach Kron«. The curious thing is that in Basel the Pope is not depicted with a double cross.

The idea of Death pulling the hats off his victims also comes from Basel. There are many examples here in Bleibach, or as Death himself formulates it: »The miter, staff, scepter and crown / I take and go away with them.«.