Mors de la Pomme, Chaplain

Chaplain
Mors de la Pomme, Chaplain

The chaplain is at work with the canon, when interrupted by Death.

    The Chaplain

Alas! Alack! then I perceive well
that death is a harsh business.
May God receive [me](1) favorably.
352 His service I can no longer do.

A canon is a priest who's attached to a cathedral. The canons are so called because they lead a rule bound life, "vita canonica".

    The Canon

For God, I will require forgiveness.
I am ready when it may please him.
When death comes to seek me out,
356 my blessings will not leave me.

Chaplain

    La mort

Entendez ad ce que vous dittes
Celle suys par qui vous faulrez
Ne faictes faultes ne redittes
348 Fourmez voz mos mieulx en vaulrez
Delectare in domino et dabit tibi

    Le chapellain

Las! hemy! bien puis perceuoir
Que la mort est de dur affaire
En gre vueille dieu receuoir
352 Son seruice plus ne puis faire
Septies in die laudem dixi tibi super iudicia iusticie tue

    Le chanoine

A dieu vueil pardon requerir
Je suys prest quant il luy plaira
Quant la mort me venra querir
356 Mon bien fait point ne me laira
Deus docuisti me a juuentute

Footnotes: (1)

"vueille" (modern French: "veuille") is present subjunctive 1st or 3rd person, so strictly speaking it might as well be the chaplain receiving God, like an Evangelical Christian who accepts Jesus as his personal saviour.

Such a thought, however, is anathema to Catholic dogma, and doesn't make sense, when the chaplain in the next line claims to have done "his service" all life. Therefore I add "me".

Lübeck's Dance of Death Dances of death Various Mors de la Pomme Chaplain