Death strikes up the dance on his oboe. At his feet lie symbols of human honour, wealth and skill. Kruspe's drawing (right) is particularly detailed: A painter's palette, a guitar, a book, a globe, a money bag, the crown of the king and emperor, the pope's triple crown and the bishop's miter.
In the right side of the drawing there are two reliefs: one with the Fall of Man, and one with the Day of Judgment.
Der Tod zu den Menschen: |
Der bedächtige Mensch: |
Death's words are clearly inspired by Lübeck's "new" text and: »Herbei, ihr Sterblichen!« comes from the initial call: »Heran ihr Sterblichen«. Death ends with a reference to his fife: »Wenn meine Pfeife schallt«, which is rather illogical since he's playing the oboe here in Erfurt. In contrast the words make sense in Lübeck: »einen Tanz nach meiner Pfeife«.
The second verse is original and is a reply from "the cautious / considered human". In Götz' text the headline says "Der betræchtlige Mensch", "the considerably human" which doesn't make much sense.