Der Doten dantz mit figuren, Maid

The Maid

Maid

Der doit. IR iůnckfrauwe in dem groißen swantze Ir gehoret auch an mynen dantze Vijll hoiffart hant yr gedrieben Beßer were yß in demůdikeyt blieben Ir hant vff uwerm haubt gedragen Hohe můdt der nyt steet tzů sagen.(1) Kummet her nach ich uch nü lere In allen dentzen dye leste kere.(2)	Death You, Maid, with the long train, you too also belong in my dance. You have shown a lot of arrogance. It would have been better to stay in humility. You have worn arrogance upon your head. This cannot be gainsaid.(1) Come on here, I'll now teach you the latest turns in all dances.(2)

die iunckfrauwe ICh müß nu dye warheyt sagen Ich wollt der werlt tzü maill behagen. Myt dantzen vnd myt spryngen Vnd auch myt sußem syngen Vijll genůgden hain ich beseßen Vnd der gebode gottes vergeßen O mütter der barmhertzikeyt Hijlff myr myn sunde synt myr leydt.	The Maid. I must speak the truth now. I wanted to please the world very much(3) with dancing and with jumping and also with sweet singing. I have had many pleasures and forgotten the commandments of God. Oh Mother of Mercy, help me, my sins are hurting me.

Footnotes: (1) (2) (3)

The translation is a bit uncertain. Gert Kaiser (Der tanzende Tod) says that she has adorned her head with arrogance "without compare": »Ihr habt das Haupt geschmückt mit Hochmut sondersgleichen«.

Regardless of the exact words, the meaning is clear enough.

In the manuscript in Kassel Death doesn't just offer to learn the maid the latest dance steps, but the best: »In allen dantzen die beste kere«.

Pleasing the world is a bad thing from a Christian point of view.

Paul said: »If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ« (Galatians 1:10), James called for enmity with the world: »Adulterers! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God« (James 4:4), while Jesus demanded that his disciples hated their families: »Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple« (Luke 14:26).

Compare with Death's words to the young man in Lübeck: »Had you been hated by the world, it would be better for you […]«-