Copenhagen's Dance of Death, Part 11, The King

Copenhagen's Dance of Death, Part 11

Death to the king.

High and mighty prince, powerful and rich
step over here, you shall become like me.
God's word should you always advance
justice and mercy not forget.
Have you done that, then be glad now.
You shall now to another city.(1)
It doesn't help you to resist.
You must immediately go hence with me.

The Kings answers.

Oho, all the physicians that are in our kingdom
let all of them come here.
Send me also a master wise
who has studied in a medical book
because Death is beginning to torment me much.
I think I won't catch many more days.
I would like him to postpone it
until I had my things in order.
Were my soul free from sin
then I would bravely walk in this war.
Now death stings me so terribly
I cannot avoid him now.
O God, mightiest, for the sake of your mercy

Help me now out of this peril

Death answers.

To speak of healing is no good
I will twist(2) you down into my castle

Death to the duke.

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If you want to read the page in the original medieval Danish, select the Danish section by clicking the red-and-white flag at the top right corner of this page.

Her begynnes then Danske krønnicke …, 1533

Ordinatio Ecclesiastica Regnorum…, 1537

Her begynnes then Danske krønnicke wel offwerseet oc corrigeret […]

Ordinatio Ecclesiastica Regnorum Daniæ et Norvegiæ […]

Footnotes: (1) (2)

. . . another city . . .: This might be a reference to Hebrews 13:14, "For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come".

twist . . .: Actually the correct word is "screw" but that doesn't sound right in today's English. (8=


	Death to the king. High and mighty prince, powerful and rich step over here, you shall become like me. God's word should you always advance justice and mercy not forget. Have you done that, then be glad now. You shall now to another city.(1) It doesn't help you to resist. You must immediately go hence with me. The Kings answers. Oho, all the physicians that are in our kingdom let all of them come here. Send me also a master wise who has studied in a medical book because Death is beginning to torment me much. I think I won't catch many more days. I would like him to postpone it until I had my things in order. Were my soul free from sin then I would bravely walk in this war. Now death stings me so terribly I cannot avoid him now. O God, mightiest, for the sake of your mercy		Help me now out of this peril Death answers. To speak of healing is no good I will twist(2) you down into my castle Death to the duke.