The Basel Dance of Death 19

Matthäus Merian, The Basel Dance of Death: The Noblewoman (1616)  

"My lady, cease your grooming, 
You must now dance with me here. 
I care not for your golden hair. 

What do you see in your shining mirror?" 

"Oh trouble and grief, what has become of me? 
Ì have seen Death in the glass. 
His dreadful form has terrified me, 

so that the heart in my body is cold." 

The Basel Dance of Death 18

Matthäus Merian, The Basel Dance of Death: The Nobleman (1616) 

"Now come, you noble warrior.
You must attend to your manliness here
with Death, who spares no man.
Take leave, then you will be rewarded."

"I have frightened many men, 
who were bedecked in armor.
Now grim Death battles with me
and truly leaves me in great distress." 

The Basel Dance of Death 17

Matthäus Merian, The Basel Dance of Death: The Physician (1616) 

"Sir Doctor, observe the anatomy
on me, whether it is well made.
Because you have also dispatched many,
who all do now resemble me." 

"I have with my inspecting the water
helped both men and women.
Who will inspect my water now?
I must now go away with Death." 

The Basel Dance of Death 16

Matthäus Merian, The Basel Dance of Death: The Canon (1616) 

"So, Canon, you have been singing, 
many sweet songs in your choir. 
Now hear the sound of my fife, 
Announcing that your death is here." 

"I sang as a free canon, 
of many voices and melodies. 
Death's fife sounds so different; 
It has so deeply frightened me." 

A Litany in Time of Plague

"A Litany in Time of Plague" 

Thomas Nashe (1567-1601) 

Adieu, farewell, earth's bliss;
This world uncertain is;
Fond are life's lustful joys;
Death proves them all but toys;
None from his darts can fly;
I am sick, I must die.
Lord, have mercy on us!

Rich men, trust not in wealth,
Gold cannot buy you health;
Physic himself must fade.
All things to end are made,
The plague full swift goes by;
I am sick, I must die.
Lord, have mercy on us!

Beauty is but a flower
Which wrinkles will devour;
Brightness falls from the air;
Queens have died young and fair;
Dust hath closed Helen's eye.
I am sick, I must die.
Lord, have mercy on us!

Strength stoops unto the grave,
Worms feed on Hector brave;
Swords may not fight with fate,
Earth still holds open her gate.
"Come, come!" the bells do cry.
I am sick, I must die.
Lord, have mercy on us!

Wit with his wantonness
Tasteth death's bitterness;
Hell's executioner
Hath no ears for to hear
What vain art can reply.
I am sick, I must die.
Lord, have mercy on us!

Haste, therefore, each degree,
To welcome destiny;
Heaven is our heritage,
Earth but a player's stage;
Mount we unto the sky.
I am sick, I must die.
Lord, have mercy on us! 

The Basel Dance of Death 15

Matthäus Merian, The Basel Dance of Death: The Councilman (1616) 

"Have you been a master of the city,
and had your seat at the council board? 
Have you ruled well?  It is good for you.
Still, I must now take your cap." 

"I've made my efforts, day and night,
that the common good was served.
I sought benefit and honor for rich and poor;
what I thought good, I increased." 

The Basel Dance of Death 14

Matthäus Merian, The Basel Dance of Death: The Lawyer (1616) 

"No trickery or flattery will help,
no postponement or appeal.
Death rules all lineages,
and every church or civil law." 

"All law is given from God,
as one may read in books.
No lawyer should bend it,
But hate the lie and love the truth." 

The Basel Dance of Death 13

Matthäus Merian, The Basel Dance of Death: The Knight (1616) 

"Sir Knight, you name is written down, 
that you must practice your chivalry 
with Death and his servants. 
It helps you neither to struggle nor to fight."

"I, as a disciplined knight, 
have served the world well and with great courage.
Now I have been, against knighthood's law, 
forced to join this dance." 

The Basel Dance of Death 12

Matthäus Merian, The Basel Dance of Death: The Abbot (1616) 

"Lord Abbot, I snatch away your mitre, 

So your staff no longer avails you. 

If here you have been a good shepherd 

For your sheep, honor is prepared for you." 

"I raised myself up to be an abbot, 

And lived long with the highest honors. 

Though none ever dared to oppose me, 

Yet Death has made me his equal." 

The Basel Dance of Death 11

Matthäus Merian, The Basel Dance of Death: The Count (1616) 

"Lord Count, give me the messenger's fee.
Bitter Death pulls you away.
Do not mourn over wife and child, 
You must dance with this rabble." 

"In this world I was well known,
and also called a noble Count.
Now I am felled by Death,
and placed here in this dance." 

The Basel Dance of Death 10

Matthäus Merian, The Basel Dance of Death: The Duchess (1616) 

"Lady Duchess, be in good spirits.
Although you are of noble blood,
Greatly esteemed upon this earth,
you are still dear and precious to me." 

"Alas God, by the poor sound of the lute, 
Must I go away with this terrible creature?
Today a duchess, and never more.
Alas, terror and distress, oh woe, oh woe!" 

The Chariot of Death

Théophile Schuler, The Chariot of Death (1851) 

The Basel Dance of Death 9

Matthäus Merian, The Basel Dance of Death: The Duke (1616) 

"You have danced with noble women,
proud Duke, it has gone well for you.
For this you must atone in the dance.
Be pleased now to greet the dead."

"Oh murder, must I so soon from here?
Leave my land, people, wife, child behind?
Then may God have mercy in His kingdom.
Now I become like my dancer." 

The Basel Dance of Death 8

Matthäus Merian, The Basel Dance of Death: The Bishop (1616) 

"Your dignity has been turned, 

Lord Bishop, wise and well-learned; 

I will draw you into the dance, 

You cannot flee from Death." 

"I have been highly esteemed, 

While I lived in my bishop's office. 

Now the shapeless draw me in, 

To their dance like an ape." 

The Basel Dance of Death 7

Matthäus Merian, The Basel Dance of Death: The Cardinal (1616) 

"Rise up with your red hat,
Lord Cardinal, this dance is good.
You have often blessed many laypeople.
You must now also join the dance."

"I was by papal choice
a cardinal of the Holy Church.
The world held me in great esteem.
Now I cannot withstand Death's power." 

The Basel Dance of Death 6

Matthäus Merian, The Basel Dance of Death: The Queen (1616) 

"Lady Queen, your joy has ended,
dance with me into the death-house.
Neither beauty, nor gold, nor money will help you.
I am dancing with you into the next world." 

"Oh woe and alas, oh woe forever!
Where is now my band of maids 
with whom I had many pleasures?
Oh Death, go gently, do not make haste with me." 

The Basel Dance of Death 5

Matthäus Merian, The Basel Dance of Death: The King (1616) 

"Lord King, your power has an end,
I lead you here by my hand
to this dance with dry brothers. 
There they will give you the death-garland." 

"I have lived in power
and hovered in high honor. 
Now I am in Death's bond,
caught in his hands." 

The Basel Dance of Death 4

Matthäus Merian, The Basel Dance of Death: The Empress (1616) 

"I dance before you, Lady Empress, 
Dance after me, the dance is mine. 
Your courtiers have left you, 
Death has here snuck upon you as well." 

"My proud body had much pleasure, 
I lived as an emperor's wife. 
Now I am forced to this dance. 
All spirit and joy have been taken from me." 

The Basel Dance of Death 3

Matthäus Merian, The Basel Dance of Death: The Emperor (1616) 

"Lord Emperor with the gray beard,
You have long saved your repentance.
Therefore, do not struggle, you must from here
And dance after my fife's tone." 

"I was able to increase the kingdom considerably,
With war and fight prevented injustice.
Now Death has won over me,
So that I am longer like an emperor." 

The Basel Dance of Death 2

Matthäus Merian, The Basel Dance of Death: The Pope (1616) 

"Come Holy Father, worthy man,
You must have the opening dance with me.
The indulgence will not help you against it,
Nor the double cross and triple crown." 

"I was called holy on earth,
Next to God I had the highest position.
The indulgence has profited me quite well.
Now Death will not spare me."