Mr Emperor, you are a great man
chosen to rule many countries
To improve the entire Christianity
and to debase God's adversaries.
With the sword in justice
to keep the Christians together.
This was part of your job to make perfect,
that would both benefit and help you.
But whether it is or not,
go with me and don't say no.
I will throw you into my castle.
there you shall cry and howl and fast.
All of your teeth shall chatter.
This will happen to you without happiness.
The Emperor answers.
Help me now God, and all the saints.
It appears to me Death won't spare me.
I have so much pain as if my heart would break.
Therefore I cannot do without medicine.
If all the physicians in Greece
were with me, to gaze at my water(1)
and I could eat up a farmacy
it still wouldn't help my sick body.
Death is hurrying up
and disease is fastening in my heart.
I was ordered by my lord and God
that I should have lived after his command.
Many grievances were brought before me.
