The principal of the orphanage

Götz: Principal

Kruspe: Principal

The orphanage principal is a unusual guest in the dance of death, although there is one by the Brothers Meyer. Here in Erfurt, however, the principal is an obvious choice, as the 56 paintings were hanging in the hall of an orphanage, and the principal was one of the very oldest paintings, from 1736.

The head of the orphanage has a visit from a mother with her two children, but he raises his hands in a dismissive gesture. Especially in Kruspe's drawing (right), you can see how the little family is preparing to leave again.

Death shows up with a sealed document and orders the principal to pay his bill. The principal accepts "the bill", although he demands to have a receipt written into the Book of Life.

The dialogue does not explain why the principal is so hard-hearted, and the scene is astonishingly negative when you consider the four self-praising portraits of the inspectors. Pohle, who himself was a later successor in the office, has absolutely no comments.

Der Tod zum Waisenhaus-Vorsteher:
Mein Freund, du musst nun fort, und tanzen mit in's Grab!
Verlass das Waisenhaus und leg die Rechnung ab,
Wie du gepfleget hast der Armen auf der Erden,
Wird deiner wiederum fortan gepfleget werden.

Der Waisenhaus-Vorsteher:
Nimm hier die Rechnung hin, soll's ja nicht anders sein,
So schreib' in's Lebensbuch mir nur die Quittung ein.
Ich bleibe keinen Rest, als den, am letzten Ende
Ein Jeder gläubig legt in Gottes Vaterhände.