The Count and Countess

Götz: Count and countess

Kruspe: Count and countess

The count and countess appear together, just like Holbein's newlywed couple and the Escutcheon of Death. The countess clings to her husband in terror. He tries to draw his sword, but Death stays his hand. The scene is very reminiscent of the same by The Brothers Meyer.

Kruspe's drawing (right) shows that Death has stolen his tricorne and brandishes it. On the other hand, Kruspe didn't spend much effort on the second Death: Just a floating skull and a flowing burial shroud.

Der Tod zum Grafen und Gräfin:
Ich habe, Graf, mit Euch, und Gräfin, nun zu thun!
Ihr möget, wie bisher, in zarten Armen ruh'n.
Nur eh ich Euch zur Lust und meinem Tanze lade,
Bestellet das Conzert und dann die Serenade!

Death to the Count and Countess:
I have, count and countess, to deal with you now!
You may, as before, rest in tender arms.
But before I invite you to pleasure and my dance,
you must order the concert and then the serenade!

Der Graf und die Gräfin:
Gemach! man tanzt und springt, der Spass gehört für Euch!
Nein bei dergleichen Lust sind wir einander gleich,
Wir, die wir auf der Welt uns prächtig konnten paaren,
Sind beide invidirt zum Todten-Tanz zu fahren.

The Count and Countess:
Take it easy! We dance and jump, the fun is yours!
No, when it comes to such pleasures, we are equal.
We, who were able to pair up splendidly in the world,
are both invited to go to the dance of death.