Der Doten dantz mit figuren, Chaplain

The Chaplain / Curate

Chaplain

Der doit HErr Cappellan yr kont gar sußlichen klaffen Bij den leyen vnd auch bij den paffen Den psalter kont yr noch nyt gelesen Vnd mag niemant vor uwer meisterschafft genesen Laßt lijgen uwer birret vnd uwer solen(1) Ir synt myr nü gantz entpfolen Uwer klipp klapp vnd doricht sagen Kan den doit nyt veriagen.	Death Mr. Chaplain, you can chatter quite nicely to the unlearned as well as to the clergy. However, you cannot read the Psalms, and your mastery can't cure anyone. Leave your beret and your stole.(1) You are now completely surrendered to me. Your chit-chat and foolish talk cannot chase Death away.

Der cappellan Eyn byrret drüg ich als meyster ypocras Dick geprediget das ich nye gelaß Ich sucht gut mit tzijtlicher ere Kleyn was ich von der lere Den wolffe lyeß ich dye schaff tzü bijsszen Eyn beyn von dem andern rijßen Dye myr myn herr befolen hat inn trüwen Das wirt mych nü vnd ewigklichen rüwent	The Chaplain. I wore a beret like master Hippocrates.(2) I often preached what I had not read. I sought goods with worldly honor, I cared little for the [Christian] doctrine. I allowed the wolves to bite the sheep; to tear one bone from the other, those whom my lord has entrusted to me.(3) This I will now and forever repent.

Footnotes: (1) (2) (3)

stole . . .: a band on the Catholic vestment.

To be sure, it says "solen" in the 1488-edition, the 1492-edition and the manuscript in Kassel (the text has been rewritten in the 1520-edition), but Max Rieger believes it should be read as "stolen".

Hippocrates (460 - between 375 and 351 BC) was a Greek physician, who is considered the father of medicine. Of course he never wore a "biretta", which wasn't invented until the Middle Ages.

Lots of clergy wear a "biretta", but normally they are square, while the chaplain's headgear on the woodcut looks more roundish.

The sheep are the congregation, of course. I suppose it's an allusion to Jesus' last words to Peter:

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."
A second time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep."
He said to him the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.
(John 21:15-17)