The Carthusian Monk

    der Tod
Fort Bruder folge mir zur algemeinen Ruh
Und schliß die Augen so wie dein Gebetbuch zu
Kanst du nun dort als hier in weiß gekleidet stehn
So wirst du an den Tod als wie zum Tanze gehn.

    Death
Away, brother, follow me to the general rest,
and close your eyes as well as your prayer book.
If you can stand there as you do here dressed in white,
then you will go to Death as if to a dance.

    der Carthæuser
Mein strenger Orden schrieb mir tausend Regeln für,(1)
Ietzt greift der Tod mich an und ruffet folge mir:
Wohlan ich bin bereit, mein Kloster zu verlassen,
Wann ich die Regul nur der Sterbekunst kan fassen.

    The Carthusian
My strict order prescribed me a thousand rules.(1)
Now Death attacks me and calls: "Follow me".
Well then, I am ready to leave my monastery,
if only I can grasp the rules of the art of dying.

    XX. Death to the Carthusian.
Come, brother, thou must shut thy eyes,
Thy breviary and thy homilies.
Come, come, to me, to endless rest.
If there, as here, thou art so blest,
As to be dress'd in white array,
Then Death will be a holy-day.

    XXI. The Carthusian's answer.
The strictest vows have me injoin'd
Those rules(1) which I'm obliged to mind;
Now Death says, thou shalt spurn them all,
And shortly quit this earthly ball,
I'm ready to attend his call.
A happy exit sure is this,
If monkish vows be crown'd with bliss.