Death answers the merchant and turns to the parish clerk
Hefstu anders nicht bedreven,
In Kopenscop, alse di was gheven,
It sal di wesen Rechtferdicheit,
Wen alle Dink to richten steit.
Hefstu di so vorwart,
Unde din Dink gans wol geklart,
Westu anders, dat is nicht gut,
Koster, kum, it wesen mot.
Have you done nothing else,
in business, than what you were given,
[then] you shall receive justice,
when all things come before the court.
Have you then kept safe [against evil]
and your business totally in order.
Were you different, that isn't good.
Parish clerk, come, it must happen.
Ach, Dot, mot it sin gedan,
Nu ik erst to denen began!
In miner Kosterie mende ik klar,
Noch hogher to komen vorwar,
En grot Officium was min Sin,
Alse mi dunckt, so krige ik nin.
Ik mach des nicht gebruken,
De Dot wil mi vorsluken.
Alas Death, must it be done
now that I had just started to serve?
In my position as a clerk I thought clearly
that I could rise even higher.
A great post was my goal.
As I think now, I don't get any,
I couldn't use it.
Death will swallow me.
Death answers the parish clerk and turns to the craftsman
Al werstu hogher gheresen,
In groter Var mustestu wesen,
It is diner Sele meiste Profit,
Dat gi nicht hogher resen sit.
Volghe na in mine Partie,
Wente hoch sin maket Hovardie,
Dat is al jeghen God.
Amtman, tret an, it is nen Spot.
Had you risen higher [in rank]
you would have been in greater danger.
It is best for your soul,
that you have not risen higher.
Follow me in my company,
Because to be high [in rank] makes haughtiness.
That is all against God.
Craftsman, step in, this is no joke!
Ach leider, wat schal mi bescheen?
Ovel hebbe ik mi vorgeseen,
Unde hebbe mi ser ovel bedacht,
Min Hantwerk so truwe nicht na getracht.
Dat Gut prisede ik sere;
Nu bidde ik di, leve Here,
Du mi de Sunde wilt vorgheven,
Unde late mi in din ewige Leven.
Oh woe, what shall happen to me?
I have foreseen badly
and have taken very bad care of myself.
I did not do my handicraft honestly
I was very fond of goods.
Now I ask you, Dear Lord,
that you will forgive me my sins,
and let me into your eternal life.
Concerning the order of the craftsman and the merchant: See the note
for the previous page.
Lübeck's dance of death
Text and photos