The Emperor

The emperor

After the world's most powerful ecclesiastical man, the pope, follows the emperor, who is the world's most powerful secular mand.

All through the danse the participants alternate between clergy and laity, just like in La Danse Macabre of Paris.

Ludewig Suhl	Translation
der Tod Auf! grosser Kayser auf! gesegne Reich und Welt, Und wisse, daß ich dir den letzten Tanz bestellt, Mein alter Bund gilt mehr, als Apfel, Schwerdt u. Bullen Wer mir Gesetze schreibt, macht eitel blinde Nullen	Death Up! Great Emperor, up! Bless the kingdom and the world, and know that I have ordered the last dance for you, My old alliance is worth more than apples, swords and papal bulls Whoever writes laws for me is making vain, blind zeros

der Kayser Was hör ich? trägt der Tod für Göttern keine Scheu, Sind Kayser=Kronen nicht vor seiner Sichel frey, Wohlan! so muss ich mich, o hartes Wort! bequemen, Und von der dürren Hand des Reiches Abschied nehmen	The Emperor What do I hear? Has Death no fear of gods? Are imperial crowns not free from his sickle? Well then! I must submit, oh harsh word! and say goodbye to the withered hand of the empire

Suhl writes that people make idle, blind zeroes: »macht eitel blinde Nullen«, but all other sources say that people paint them: »mahlt eitel blinde Nullen«.

Thomas Nugent
IV. Death to the Emperor. Monarch august, arise, and pay The debt you owe, nor make delay; Be quick, I'll not compound for all Your claims to this terrestrial ball. Nor shall thy mound, or sword, or power, Ward off my scythe a single hour. For Death I am, I'll be obey'd; None but the wicked are afraid.	V. Emperor's answer. Ah! ruthless Death! with iron hand Dost thou, at last, before me stand? Thou need'st not tell me, fiend, for, oh ! Thy power is absolute, I know; But when my soul is on the wing, May mercy save me from thy sting!