Nec pictura decus pompam luxumque relegat, In que choris nostris ducere festa monet.

¶ Doctor loquitur

Discite vos choream cuncti qui cernitis istam Quantum prosit honor gaudia divitie;line5 Tales estis enim matina morte futuri Qualis in effigie mortua turba vocat.

¶ Le docteur

O, creature raisonnable, Qui desires vie eternelle, Tu as cy doctrine notableline10 Pour bien finer vie mortelle. La danse macabre s’appelle Que chascun a danser apprant. A homme et femme est mort naturelle; Mort n’espargne petit ne grant.

¶ Le docteur

line15 En ce mirouer chascun puet lire Qu’il le convient ainsi danser. Cilz est qui bien s’i mire; La mort le vif fait avancier.fol. 1v Tu vois les plus grans eureux commancier,line20 Car il n’est nul que mort ne fiere. C’est piteuse chose y penser: Tout est forgié d’une matiere.

¶ Le mort au pape

Vous qui vives certainement Quoy qu’il tarde ainsi danserez.line25 Mais quant? Dieu le scet seulement. Advisies comment vous ferez. Damp pape, vous commancerez. Comme le plus digne seigneur, En ce point honnoré serez:line30 Aux grans maistres est deu l’onneur.

¶ Le pape

Hee, fault il que la danse maine Le premier, qui suis dieu en terre? J’ay eu dignité souveraine En l’esglise comme Saint Pierre,line35 Et, comme aultre, mort me vient querre. Encor point morir ne cuidasse, Mais la mort a tous maine guerre. Peu vault honnour qui si tost passe.

¶ Le mort

Et vous, le nompareil du monde,line40 Prince et seigneur, grant emperierre,fol. 2r Laissier fault la pomme d’or ronde, Armes, ceptre, timbre, baniere. Je ne vous laire pas d’arriere. Vous ne povez plus seignorir;line45 J’enmaine tout — c’est ma maniere. Les filz Adam fault tous morir.

¶ L’empereur

Je ne scay devant qui j’appelle De la mort, qu’ainsi me demaine. Armer me fault de pic, de pelle,line50 Et d’un linseul; ce m’est grant paine. Sus tous ay eu honneur mondaine, Et morir me fault pour tout gaige. Et qu’est ce de mortel demaine? Les grans ne l’ont pas davantaige.

¶ Le mort

line55 Vos faites l’esbay, ce semble, Cardinal — sus legierement, Suyvons les autres tous ensemble. Riens n’y vault esbayssement. Vous avez vescu haultementline60 Et eu honneurs a grans devis: Prenez en gré l’esbatement. Es grans honneurs se pert l’advis.

fol. 2v ¶ Le cardinal

J’ay bien cause de m’esbahir Quant je me voy de si pres prins.line65 La mort m’est venue envair: Plus ne vestiray vair ne gris; Chappeau rouge et chappe de pris Me fault laissier a grant destresse. Je ne l’avoye pas aprins:line70 Toute joye fine en tristesse.

¶ Le mort

Venez, noble roy couronné, Renommé de force et proesse. Jadis fustes avironné De grans pompes, de grant noblesse,line75 Mais maintenant toute haultesse Laisserez. Vous n’estes pas seul. Peu aurez de vostre richesse: Le plus riche n’a q’un linseul.

¶ Le roy

Je n’ay point aprins a danserline80 A danse et notte si sauvage. Helas, on puet veoir et penser: Que vault orgueil, force, lignage? Mort destruit tout — c’est son usage — Aussi toust le grant que le mendre.line85 Qui moins se prise, plus est saige; A la fin fault devenir cendre.

fol. 3r ¶ Le mort

Patriarche, pour basse chiere Vous ne povez estre quitté. Vostre double crois qu’avez chiereline90 Un aultre aura — c’est equité. Ne penses plus a dignité: Ja ne serez pape de Romme. Pour rendre compte estes cité. Fole esperance deçoit l’omme.

¶ Le patriarche

line95 Bien parchoy que mondains honneurs M’ont deceu, pour dire le voir. Mes joyes tournent en douleurs, Et que vault tant d’onneur avoir? Trop hault monter n’est pas savoir.line100 Haulx estas gastent gens sans nombre, Mais peu le veulent parcevoir: A hault monter le fais encombre.

¶ Le mort

C’est de mon droit que je vous mainne A la danse, gent connestable.line105 Les plus fors, comme Charlemaine, Mort prent — c’est chose veritable. Riens ne vault chiere espoventable, Ne forte armeure en cest assault. D’un cop j’abat le plus estable:line110 Rien n’est d’armée quant mort assault.

fol. 3v ¶ Le connestable

J’avoye encor entencion D’assaillir chasteaux, forteresses, Et mener a subjection En acquerent honneur, richesses.line115 Mais je voy que toutes proesses Mort met au bas — c’est grant despit. Tout luy est un, doulceurs, rudesses; Contre la mort n’a nul respit.

¶ Le mort

Que vous tires la teste arriere,line120 Archevesque? Tires vous pres. Avez vous peur c’om ne vous fiere? Ne doubtes: vous venres apres. N’est pas tousjours la mort empres? Tout homme elle suit coste a coste.line125 Rendre convient debtes et prests; Une fois fault compter a l’oste.

¶ L’archevesque

Las, je ne scay ou regarder, Tant suis par mort a grant destroit. Ou fuiray je pour moy garder?line130 Certes qui bien la cognoistroit Hors de raison jamais n’istroit. Plus ne gerray en chambre painte; Morir me convient, c’est le droit. Quant faire fault, c’est grant contrainte.

fol. 4r ¶ Le mort

line135 Vous qui entre les grans barons Avez eu renom, chevalier, Obliez trompettes, clarons, Et me suyvez sans sommeiller. Les dames souliez resveillierline140 En faisant danser longue piece. A aultre danse fault veillier. Ce que l’un fait, l’autre despiece.

¶ Le chevalier

Or ay je esté auctorisié En pluseurs fais, et bien faméline145 Des grans, et des petis prisié, Avec ce des dames amé, Ne onques ne fu diffamé A la court de seigneur notable. Mais a ce cop suis tout pasmé.line150 Dessoubz le ciel n’a riens estable.

¶ Le mort

Tantost n’aurez vaillent ce pic Des biens du monde et de nature, Evesque — de vous il est pic, Nonobstant vostre prelature.line155 Vostre fait gist en aventure. De voz subgez fault rendre compte; A chascun dieu fera droicture. N’est pas aseur qui trop hault monte.

¶ L’evesque

Le cueur ne me puet resjoirfol. 4v Des nouvelles que mort m’aporte.line161 Dieu vouldra de tout compte oir: C’est ce que plus me desconforte. Le monde aussi peu me conforte, Qui tout a la fin desherite;line165 Il retient tout: nul riens n’emporte. Tout se passe, fors le merite.

¶ Le mort

Avancez vous, gent escuier, Qui savez de danser les tours. Lance porties et escu hier,line170 Et huy vous finerez voz jours. Il n’est rien qui ne preigne cours. Dansez et pensez de suir; Vous ne povez avoir secours. Il n’est qui puisse mort fuir.

¶ L’escuier

line175 Puis que mort me tient en ses las, Au moins que je puisse un mot dire: Adieu, deduis, adieu, soulas, Adieu, dames, plus ne puis rire. Pensez de l’ame qui desireline180 Reppos; ne vous chaille plus tant Du corps, qui tous les jours empire. Tout fault pourrir on ne scet quant.

¶ Le mort

Abbé, venez tost, vous fuyez.fol. 5r N’ayez ja la chiere esbaye.line185 Il convient que la mort suyez, Combien que moult l’avez haye. Commandez a dieu l’abbaye, Qui gros et gras vous a norry. Tost pourrierez a peu d’aye:line190 Le plus gras est premier pourry.

¶ L’abbé

De cecy n’eusse point envie, Mais il convient le pas passer. Las, or n’ay je pas en ma vie Gardé mon ordre sans casser?line195 Gardes vous de trop embrasser, Vous qui vives au demorant, Se vous voulez bien trespasser. On s’advise tart en mourant.

¶ Le mort

Bailli, qui savez qu’est justiceline200 Et hault et bas, en mainte guise, Pour gouverner toute police, Venez tantost a ceste assise — Je vous adjourne de main mise — Pour rendre compte de voz faisline205 A grant juge, qui tout un prise. Un chascun portera son fais.

¶ Le bailly

He, dieu, vecy dure journee. De ce cop pas ne me gardoye; Or est la chance bien tournée.fol. 5v Entre juges honneur avoye,line211 Et mort fait ravaler ma joye, Qui m’a adjourné sans rappel. Je n’y voy plus ne tour ne voye; Contre la mort n’a point d’appel.

¶ Le mort

line215 Maistre, pour vostre regarder En hault, ne pour vostre clergie, Ne povez la mort retarder. Cy ne vault riens astrologie. Toute la genealogieline220 D’Adam, qui fut le premier homme, Mort prent — ce dit theologie: Tous fault morir pour une pomme.

¶ L’astrologien

Pour science, ne pour degres, Ne puis avoir provision,line225 Car maintenent tous mes regrez Sont morir a confusion Pour finable conclusion. Je ne scay riens que plus descrive; Je pers cy toute advision.line230 Qui vouldra bien morir bien vive.

¶ Le mort

Bourgoys, hastes vous sans tarder. Vous n’avez avoir ne richesse,fol. 6r Qui vous puissent de mort garder. Se des biens dont eustes largesseline235 Avez bien usé, c’est sagesse. D’autruy vient, tout a autruy passe. Fol est qui d’amasser se blesse: On ne scet pour qui on amasse.

¶ Le bourgoys

Grant mal me fait si toust laissierline240 Rentes, maisons, cens, monteure, Mais povres et riches abaissier Tu fais, mort, telle est ta nature. Sage n’est pas la creature D’amer trop les biens qui demourentline245 Au monde et sont siens par droicture. Ceulx qui plus ont plus envis meurent.

¶ Le mort

Sire chanoine prebendez, Plus n’aurez distribucion Ne gros; ne vous y attendez.line250 Prenez cy consolacion Pour toute retribucion: Morir vous convient sans demeure. Ja n’y aurez dilacion. La mort vient qu’on ne garde l’eure.

fol. 6v ¶ Le chanoine

line255 Cecy gueres ne me conforte. Prebendez fuz en mainte esglise, Or est la mort plus que moy forte, Qui tout enmaine — c’est sa guise. Blanc surplis et aumuce griseline260 Me fault laissier et a mort rendre. Que vault gloire si tost bas mise? A bien morir doit chascun tendre.

¶ Le mort

Marchant, regardez par deça. Plusiers pays avez cerchiéline265 A pié a cheval de pieça. Vous n’en serez plus empeschié: Vecy vostre desrain marchié. Il convient que par cy passez; De tout soing serez despeschié.line270 Tel convoite qui a assez.

¶ Le marchant

J’ay esté amont et aval Pour marchander ou je porroye Par longtemps a pié, a cheval, Mais maintenent pers toute joye.line275 De tout mon povoir acqueroye, Or ay je asses; mort me contraint. Bon fait aler moyenne voye: Qui trop embrasse peu estraint.

fol. 7r ¶ Le mort

Alez, marchant, sans plus rester,line280 Ne faictes ja cy resistence. Vous n’y povez riens conquester. Vous aussi, homme d’abstinence, Chartreux, prenez en pacience. De plus vivre n’ayez memoire;line285 Faictez vous valoir a la danse. Sur tout homme mort a victoire.

¶ Le chartreux

Je suis au monde pieça mort, Par quoy de vivre ay moins envie, Ja soit que tout homme craint mort.line290 Puis que la char est assouvie. Plaise a dieu que l’ame ravie Soit es cieulx apres mon trespas. C’est tout neant de ceste vie; Tel est huy qui demain n’est pas.

¶ Le mort

line295 Sergent qui portez celle mace, Il semble que vous rebellez. Pour neant faictes la grimace; Se on vous griefve si, appellez. Vous estes de mort appellez;line300 Qui luy rebelle, il se dechoit. Les plus fors sont tost ravallez. Il n’est fort qu’aussy fort ne soit.

fol. 7v ¶ Le sergent

Moy, qui suy royal officier, Comment m’ose la mort frapper?line305 Je faisoye mon office hyer, Et elle me vient huy happer? Je ne scay quelle part eschapper; Je suis prins deça et dela. Malgre moy me laisse attraper.line310 Envis meurt qui aprins ne l’a.

¶ Le mort

Ha, maistre, par la passez; N’ayez ja soing de vous deffendre. Plus homme n’espoventerez. Apres, moyne, sans plus attendre.line315 Ou pensez vous? Cy fault entendre: Tantost aurez la bouche close. Homme n’est fors que vent et cendre; Vie d’omme est peu de chose.

¶ Le moyne

J’amasse mieulx encores estreline320 En cloistre et faire mon service: C’est un lieu devost et bel estre. Or ay je, comme fol et nice, Ou temps passé commis maint vice, De quoy n’ay pas fait penitanceline325 Suffisant. Dieu me soit propice: Chascun n’est pas joyeux qui dance.

¶ Le mort

Usurier de sens desreuglé, Venez toust et me regardez.fol. 8r D’usure estes tant aveugliéline330 Que d’argent gaignier tout ardez. Mais vous en serez bien lardez, Car sedieu, qui est merveilleux, N’a pitié de vous, tout perdez. A tout perdre est cop perilleux.

¶ L’usurier

line335 Me convient il si toust mourir? Ce m’est grant paine et grant grevance, Et ne me pourroient secourir Mon or, mon argent, ma chevance. Je voys mourir; la mort m’avance.line340 Mais il m’en desplaist somme toute. Qu’est ce de male acoustumance? Tel a beaux eulx qui n’y voit goute.

¶ L’omme qui emprunte

Usure est tant mauvais pechié, Comme chascun dit et recompte,line345 Et cest homme, qui approuchié Se voit de la mort, n’en tient compte. Mesmes l’argent qu’en ma main compte Encor a usure me preste. Il devra de retour au compte:line350 N’est pas quitte qui doit de reste.

¶ Le mort

Medecin, a tout vostre orinefol. 8v Veez vous ycy qu’amender? Jadis seustes de medicine Assez pour povoir commander,line355 Or vous vient la mort demander. Comme aultre vous convient mourir. Vous n’y povez contremander; Bon mire est qui se scet guerir.

¶ Le medecin

Longtemps a qu’en l’art de phisiqueline360 J’ay mis toute mon estudie. J’avoye science et pratique Pour guerir mainte maladie. Je ne scay que je contredie: Plus n’y vault herbe, ne racine,line365 N’autre remede. Quoy qu’on dye, Contre la mort n’a medicine.

¶ Le mort

Gentil amoureux joune et frique, Qui vous cuidiez de grant valour, Vous estes prins; la mort vous picque.line370 Le monde lairez a doulour. Trop l’avez amé — c’est folour — Et a morir peu regardé. Ja tost vous changerez coulour: Beauté n’est qu’ymage fardé.

¶ L’amoureux

line375 Helas, or n’y a yl secoursfol. 9r Contre mort? Adieu, amourettes. Moult toust va jounesse a decours. Adieu, chappeaux, bouquez, flourettes, Adieu, amans et pucellettes.line380 Souviegnez vous de moy souvent, Et vous mirez se saiges estes. Petite pluye abat grant vent.

¶ Le mort

Advocat, sans long proces faire, Venez vostre cause plaidier.line385 Bien avez sceu les gens attraire De pieça, non pas d’uy ne d’ier. Conseil si ne vous puet aidier. Au grant juge vous fault venir. Savoir le devez sans cuidier:line390 Bon fait justice prevenir.

¶ L’advocat

C’est bien drois que raison se face, Ne je n’y scay mettre deffense. Contre mort n’a respit ne grace; Nul n’appelle de sa sentence.line395 J’ay eu de l’autruy, quant je y pense, De quoy je doubte estre reprins. A craindre est le jour de vengence: Dieu rendra tout a juste pris.

fol. 9v ¶ Le mort

Menestrel qui danses et nottesline400 Savez et avez beau maintien Pour faire esjoir sos et sottes, Qu’en dites vous? Alons nous bien? Monstrer vous fault, puis que vous tien, Aux autres cy un tour de dance.line405 Le contredire n’y vault rien: Maistre doit monstrer sa science.

¶ Le menestrel

De danser ainsi n’eusse cure; Certes tres envis je m’en melle, Car de mort n’est paine plus dure.line410 J’ay mis soubz le banc ma vielle. Plus ne corneray sauterelle N’autre danse; mort m’en retient. Il me fault obeir a elle: Tel danse a qui au cueur n’en tient.

¶ Le mort

line415 Passez, curé, sans plus songier; Je sens qu’estes habandonné. Le vif le mort soliez mangier, Mais vous serez aux vers donné. Vous feustes jadix ordonnéline420 Mirouer d’autruy et exemplaire. De voz faiz serez guerdonné: A toute paine est deu salaire.

¶ Le cure

fol. 10r Vueille ou nom, il fault que me rende; Il n’est homme que mort n’assaille.line425 Hee, de mes paroissiens offrande N’auray jamais, ne funeraille. Devant le juge fault que je aille Rendre compte, las, doulereux. Or ay je grant paour que ne faille:line430 Qui dieu quitte bien est eureux.

¶ Le mort

Laboureur qui en soing et paine Avez vescu tout vostre temps, Mourir fault — c’est chose certaine. Reculer n’y vault, ne contens.line435 De mort devez estre contens, Car de grant soucy vous delivre. Approchiez vous, je vous attens: Fol est qui cuide tousjours vivre.

¶ Le laboureur

La mort ay souhaitié souvent,line440 Mais volentiers je la fuysse. J’amasse mieux, fist pluye ou vent Estre es vignes ou je fouysse; Encor plus grant plaisir y preisse, Car je pers de peur tout propos.line445 Or n’est qui de ce pas ysse. Au monde n’a point de reppos.

fol. 10v ¶ Le mort

Faictes voye, vous avez tort, Laboureur. Apres, cordelier. Souvent avez preschié de mort,line450 Si vous devez moins merveiller; Ja ne s’en fault esmay bailler. Il n’est si fort que mort n’arreste; Si fait bon a morir veiller. A toute heure la mort est preste.

¶ Le cordelier

line455 Qu’est ce que de vivre en ce monde? Nul homme a seurte n’y demeure. Toute vanite y habunde, Puis vient la mort, qu’a tous court seure. Mendicité point ne m’asseure;line460 Des meffais fault payer l’amende. En petite heure dieu labeure; Sage est le pecheur qui s’amende.

¶ Le mort

Petit enfant naguerez né, Au monde auras peu de plaisance.line465 A la danse seras mené Comme autres, car mort a puissance Sur tous du jour de la naissance. Convient chascun a mort offrir; Fol est qui n’en a congnoissance.line470 Qui plus vit plus a a souffrir.

¶ L’enfant

A, A, A, je ne scay parler.fol. 11r Enfant suy, j’ay la langue mue. Hyer nasquis, huy m’en fault aler; Je ne fay qu’entrée et yssue.line475 Rien n’ay mesfait, mais de peur sue. Prendre en gré me fault — c’est le mieux. L’ordonnance Dieu ne se mue; Aussi toust meurt joune que vieulx.

¶ Le mort

Cuidiez vous de mort eschapper,line480 Clerc, esperdu pour reculer? Il ne s’en fault ja desfripper. Tel cuide souvent hault aler Qu’on voit a cop tost ravaler. Prenez en gré, alons ensemble,line485 Car riens n’y vault le rebeller: Dieu punist tout quant bon luy semble.

¶ Le clerc

Fault il q’un joune clerc servant, Qui en service prent plaisir Pour cuidier venir en avantline490 Meure si tost? C’est desplaisir. Je suis quitte de plus choisir Autre estat; y fault qu’ainsy danse. La mort m’a prins a son loisir; Moult remaint de ce que fol pense.

fol. 11v ¶ Le mort

line495 Clerc, point ne fault faire reffus De danser; faictes vous valoir. Vous n’estes pas seul — levez sus — Pourtant moins vous en doit chaloir. Venez apres, c’est mon voloir,line500 Homme norry en hermitaige; Ja ne vous en convient douloir. Vie n’est pas seur heritaige.

¶ L’ermite

Pour vie dure ou solitaire Mort ne donne de vivre espace.line505 Chascun le voit, si s’en fault taire. Or requier dieu q’un don me face: C’est que tous mes pechiez efface. Bien suis content de tous ses biens, Desquelx j’ay usé de sa grace.line510 Qui n’a souffisance, il n’a riens.

fol. 12r ¶ Le mort luy repond

C’est bien dit, ainsi doit on dire; Il n’est qui soit de mort delivré. Qui mal vit, il aura du pire: Si pense chascun de bien vivre.line515 Dieu pesera tout a la livre; Bon y fait penser seoir et main. Meilleur science n’a en livre: Il n’est qui ait point de demain.

¶ Le roy mort qui vers mignent

Vous qui en ceste pourtraittureline520 Veez danser estas divers, Pensez qu’est humaine nature: Ce n’est fors que viande a vers. Je le monstre, qui gis envers, Si ay je esté roy couronnez.line525 Telx soiez vous, bons et pervers. Tous estas sont aux vers donnez.

¶ Machabre docteur

Rien n’est d’omme, qui bien y pense, C’est tout chose transitoire. Chascun le voit par ceste danse.line530 Pour ce vous, qui veez l’ystoire, Retenez la bien en memoire, Car homme et femme elle amonneste D’avoir de paradis la gloire. Eureux est qui es cieulx fait feste.

fol. 12v ¶ Le docteur encor

line535 Mais aucuns sont a qui n’en chault, Comme s’il ne feust paradis N’enfer. Helas, ilz auront chault. Les livres que firent jadix Les sains le monstrent en beaux dis.line540 Acquittiez vous qui cy passez, Et faictes du bien — plus n’en dis. Bien fait vault moult aux trespassez.

¶ Angelus et doctor locuntur

Mortales dominus cunctos in luce creavit Ut capiant meritis gaudia summa poli.line545 Felix ille quidem qui mentem jugiter illuc Dirigit atque vigil noxia queque cavet, Nec tamen infelix sceleris quem penitet acti Quique suum facinus plangere sepe solet. Sed vivunt homines tamquam mors nulla sequatur,line550 Et velut infernus fabula vana foret, Cum doceat sensus viventes morte resolui Atque herebipenas pagina sacraprobet Quas qui non metuit infelix prorsus et amens Vivit et extinctus sentiet ille rogum.line555 Sic igitur cuncti sapientes vivere certent Ut nichil inferni sit metuenda palus.

Explicit.

The painting does not reject glory, pomp, and indulgence It begs us to lead into these festivities with our dances.

¶ The Teacher speaks

You, all you who behold that dance, Learn how great is the profit of honor, joy, riches;line5 For this is how you shall be in the morning with Death, Like the ones in dead effigy whom the mob summons.

¶ The Doctor

O, creature endowed with reason, You who long for eternal life, You have before you an important preceptline10 For properly ending your mortal life. It is called the Danse macabre, Which everyone learns to dance. Death is natural to men and women; Death spares neither the lowly nor the lofty.

¶ The Doctor

line15 In this mirror everyone can read That he must dance like this. Happy is the man who can see himself in it well; Death makes the living come forward. You see the loftiest take the first step,line20 For there is no one whom Death does not strike. It is a pitiable thing to consider here: Everyone is fashioned from the same material.

¶ Death to the Pope

You who are alive assuredly Sooner or later will dance like this.line25 But when? Only God knows. Consider what you will do. Lord Pope, you will begin. As the most venerable suzerain, You will be honored in this regard:line30 Honor is owed to great lords.

¶ The Pope

Ah, must I, who am God on earth, Lead the dance first? I had sovereign power In the church like Saint Peter,line35 And, like any other, Death comes to seek me out. I was not at all expecting to die, But Death wages war on everyone. Such fleeting honor is worth little.

¶ Death

And you, peerless on earth,line40 Prince and lord, great emperor, You must give up the golden orb, The arms, the scepter, the crest, and the banner. You I will not leave behind. You cannot rule any longer;line45 I carry off everything — that’s my style. All Adam’s sons must die.

¶ The Emperor

I do not know before whom to appeal Against Death, who leads me away like this. I must arm myself with a pickaxe, a shovel,line50 And a shroud; this is extremely hard for me. I possessed glory on earth above all others, And dying is all I have to show for it. And what about mortal dominion? The lofty do not have it anymore.

¶ Death

line55 You act astonished, it seems, Cardinal — up, quickly now, Let us follow the others together. Astonishment is of no use. You have lived grandlyline60 And had all the privileges you wanted: Enjoy the entertainment. Good sense gets lost amid great privileges.

¶ The Cardinal

I have good reason to be astonished When I see myself so cornered.line65 Death has come to attack me: Nevermore will I wear gray squirrel trim; I must, with great distress, give up The red hat and costly chasuble. I had not learned it sooner:line70 All joy ends in sadness.

¶ Death

Come, noble crowned king, Renowned for might and prowess. Once upon a time you were surrounded With great pomp and with great circumstance,line75 But now you leave behind All grandeur. You are not alone. You will have little of your riches: The richest man has but a shroud.

¶ The King

I never did learn to danceline80 To such savage steps and melodies. Alas, one can look and think: What good is pride, might, lineage? Death destroys all — that is its custom — The lofty along with the lesser.line85 He who esteems himself least is the wiser; In the end one must turn to ash.

¶ Death

Patriarch, your downcast look Will not acquit you. Your double cross, which you have prized,line90 Another will have — fair and square. Think no more about your prerogatives: You will never be the pope in Rome. You are summoned to give account. Foolish hope deceives men.

¶ The Patriarch

line95 I clearly do see that worldly privileges Have deceived me, to be honest. My joys turn to sorrows, And what good is having so much privilege? Climbing too high is not wise.line100 Lofty estates destroy countless people, But few are willing to realize that: The burden weighs heavy on him who climbs high.

¶ Death

It is in my purview to lead you To the dance, noble constable.line105 Death captures the mightiest Like Charlemagne — that is the truth. A fierce countenance is of no use, Nor is strong armor against this attack. With one blow I strike down the steadiest:line110 Military might is nothing when Death attacks.

¶ The Constable

I still had every intention Of storming and conquering Castles and fortresses, While gaining fame and spoils.line115 But I see that Death lays all Exploits low — that is a great shame. Gentleness, violence, it is all the same to it; No one gains reprieve from Death.

¶ Death

Why do you draw your head back,line120 Archbishop? Draw closer. Are you afraid you will be struck? Fear not: you will be next. Isn’t Death always closing in? It sticks by every man’s side.line125 You must render debts and dues; At a certain point one must settle with the host.

¶ The Archbishop

Alas, I do not know where to look, Death has me in such dire straits. Where will I flee to protect myself?line130 Surely nobody who recognized Death Would ever stray from the right path. Never more will I lie in a painted chamber; I must die, it is the law. When one must do it, it is under great duress.

¶ Death

line135 You, knight, who among the lofty barons, Had much renown, Forget the trumpets and the clarions And follow me without drifting off. You used to rouse the ladiesline140 By dancing for a good long while. Now you must stay up late for a new dance. What one makes, another breaks.

¶ The Knight

Now I used to be honored For numerous feats, and well reputedline145 Among the lofty, and prized by the lowly, And also loved by ladies, Nor was I ever defamed At the court of a respected lord. But by this blow I am knocked out cold.line150 Nothing is stable beneath the heavens.

¶ Death

Soon your worldly and natural wealth Will not amount to this pickaxe, Bishop — you don’t have a single card to play, Your prelature notwithstanding.line155 Your fate hangs in the balance. You should take stock of your subjects; God will dispense justice to all. He who climbs too high is not secure.

¶ The Bishop

My heart cannot rejoiceline160 In the news brought to me by Death. God will wish to go over all the accounts: This is what pains me most. I can get little comfort too from the world, Which ultimately dispossesses everyone.line165 It keeps all; no one makes off with anything. Everything fades, save merit.

¶ Death

Come forward, noble squire, You who know all the dance steps. You bore a lance and shield yesterday,line170 And today you will end your days. There is nothing that does not take its course. Dance and try to keep up; No one can help you. There is no one who can flee Death.

¶ The Squire

line175 Since Death holds me tight in its snares, At the very least let me say a word: Farewell, pleasure, farewell, solace, Farewell, ladies, I can laugh no more. Think of the soul that longs forline180 Eternal sleep; stop worrying so much About the body that deteriorates with each passing day. All must rot eventually.

¶ Death

Abbot, come back at once, you are running away. Do not look so astonished now.line185 It befits you to follow Death, Much as you have always hated it. Commend to God the abbey, Which has turned you out big and fat. You will rot quickly with little help:line190 The fattest is the first to rot.

¶ The Abbot

I had no desire for this whatsoever, But I must take the final step. Alas, did I not in my life Keep my vows without breaking them?line195 Keep yourself from grasping too much, You who live in the time that remains, If you wish to die well. It is too late to learn on the deathbed.

¶ Death

Bailiff, you who know what justice isline200 Everywhere, in all its forms, When it comes to governing all administrations, Come straightaway before this court — I serve you with a summons — To account for your worksline205 Before the great judge, who assesses everyone alike. Each and everyone will bear his burden.

¶ The Bailiff

Oh, God, this is a tough day. I was not on my guard against this blow; Now my fortunes have truly changed.line210 I used to be honored among judges, And Death, who has summoned me Without right of appeal, casts down my joys. I see no more moves nor routes to take; Against Death there are no appeals.

¶ Death

line215 Master, for all your gazing up On high and all your clerkly knowledge, You cannot delay Death. Astrology is worth nothing here. The whole lineageline220 Of Adam, who was the first man, Gets taken by Death — so says theology: All must die for an apple.

¶ The Astrologer

Despite knowledge, despite degrees, I cannot prepare myself for this,line225 For now I regret nothing more Than ending up Dying in distress. I know nothing that might elucidate it more; Here I lose all my sight.line230 May he who wishes to die well live well.

¶ Death

Burgess, hurry up without delay. You have neither wealth nor riches That might protect you from Death. If you have made proper use of the goodsline235 That you had in abundance, that is wise. What comes from one all passes to another. The fool ruins himself through hoarding: One does not know for whom one hoards.

¶ The Burgess

It pains me greatly to give up rents,line240 Houses, revenues, and belongings so soon, But you, Death, cast down The poor and the rich, such is your nature. No creature is wise to love too much The goods that remainline245 In the material world and belong to it by right. Those who have more are more loath to die.

¶ Death

Sir Prebendary, No more will you have allocation Nor revenue; do not count on it.line250 Take consolation in this As sole compensation: You must die without delay. You will get no deferral here. Death comes when one least expects it.

¶ The Canon

line255 This hardly comforts me. I had a prebend in many a church, But now Death, who carries off everything, Overpowers me — that is its way. My white surplice and grey amiceline260 I must leave and give up to Death. What use is glory so soon brought low? Everyone should look to dying well.

¶ Death

Merchant, look over here. Once upon a time you roamed throughline265 Many lands on foot and in the saddle. You will no longer be thus preoccupied: Here is your final marketplace. You must pass through here; You will be discharged of all cares.line270 He who has plenty only covets more.

¶ The Merchant

For a long time I traveled high and low To trade where I could On foot and in the saddle, But now I lose all joy.line275 I did my utmost to acquire wealth, But now I have enough; Death seizes me. It is good to take the middle way; He who grasps too much grips little.

¶ Death

Come, merchant, without further delay,line280 Do not put up any more of a fight. You can achieve nothing by it. You too, man of abstinence, Carthusian, have forbearance. Forget about living anymore;line285 Put your best foot forward at the dance. Death is victorious over all men.

¶ The Carthusian

I have been dead to the world a long time, Wherefore I have less will to live, Even though every man fears Death.line290 Since the flesh has come to term, God willing, let my soul be ravished To the heavens at my passing. This life is but pure naught; We are here today and gone tomorrow.

¶ Death

line295 Sergeant, carrying that mace, You seem recalcitrant. It is no use at all to make that face; If you are being injured so, lodge an appeal. You have been called by Death;line300 He who rebels against it deceives himself. The strongest are soon felled. No man is so strong as to be stronger than Death.

¶ The Sergeant

Me, a royal officer, How dare Death strike me?line305 I was carrying out my duties just the other day, And today it comes to snatch me? I do not know which way to flee; I am cornered on all sides. Despite myself I let myself get caught.line310 He is loath to die who has not learned to die well.

¶ Death

Ah, master, head on through; Do not think to defend yourself. You will not frighten anyone anymore. You are next, monk, no more dawdling,line315 What are you thinking about? Focus on this: Soon your mouth will be shut. Man is nothing but wind and ash; A human life does not amount to much.

¶ The Monk

I would have preferred still beingline320 In the cloister and saying my offices: It is a devout place and a beautiful dwelling. But, being foolish and senseless, I have Committed many a vice in the past, For which I have not done sufficientline325 Penance. May God look favorably upon me: Not everyone who dances is happy.

¶ Death

Usurer, you with your disordered mind, Come quick and look at me. You are so blinded by usuryline330 That you burn to rake in wealth. But it will gouge you, For if God, who is magnificent, Does not pity you, you lose everything. It is a dangerous game in which all can be lost in just one bet.

¶ The Usurer

line335 Must I die so soon? This causes me great pain and great misery, And not my gold, my silver, nor my wealth Can possibly help me. I will die; Death leads the way.line340 But this angers me through and through. What kind of unfair tax is this? Sometimes the fairest eyes cannot see a thing.

¶ The Borrower

Usury is such an evil sin, As everyone says and recounts,line345 Yet this man, who sees his death Approach, does not take it into account. He just continues to loan me at interest The money he counts out into my hand. He will owe the rest on his account:line350 He who owes still has not settled the debt.

¶ Death

Physician, in all your urine Do you see here what to cure? You once knew enough About medicine to be able to prescribe treatment,line355 But now Death comes to ask for you. You must die like any other. You cannot countermand it: The good doctor knows how to cure himself.

¶ The Physician

For a long time I devoted myself entirelyline360 To studying the art of medicine; I knew both the theory and the practice Of curing many an illness. I do not know with what to counter: Plants and roots and other remediesline365 Are no longer any good. Whatever they say, There is no cure for Death.

¶ Death

Noble lover, young and elegant, You who believe yourself to be of great worth, You have been taken; you feel Death’s sting.line370 You will leave the world in pain. You have loved it too much — how foolish — And thought little of dying. Soon now your color will begin to change: Beauty is but a painted image.

¶ The Lover

line375 Alas, is there no recourse now Against Death? Farewell, dalliances. How quickly youth ebbs away. Farewell, garlands, bouquets, and blossoms, Farewell, lovers and young maidens.line380 May you remember me often And mend your ways, if you are wise. A little rain can still the strongest squall.

¶ Death

Man of law, without long deliberation, Come plead your case.line385 You have well known how to sway folk For a long time now, not just since today or yesterday. Legal counsel cannot help you. You must come before the great judge. You should know it for certain:line390 It is meet to uphold justice.

¶ The Man of Law

It is only right that justice be done, Nor do I know how to defend myself against it. There is no respite nor pardon from Death; No one appeals its sentence.line395 I, who took from others, when I think about it, Now dread being seized in turn. The day of vengeance is to be feared: God will pay everything back in full.

¶ Death

Minstrel, who knows dances andline400 Melodies and puts on a good show To give delight to fools and ninnies, What do you say? Shall we go? Since you are in my clutches, you must show The others here some fancy footwork.line405 It is no use arguing: The master should show off his expertise.

¶ The Minstrel

I have no desire to dance like this; I am certainly loath to take part, For there is no pain worse than Death.line410 I have hung up my hat and packed up my viol, I will trill no more sauterelles Nor other dances; Death keeps me from it. I must obey: A man can dance though his heart is not in it.

¶ Death

line415 Come forward, parish priest, without dillydallying; I sense that you have been handed over. You used to feed off the living and the dead, But now you will be served up to the worms. You were once ordained to beline420 A mirror and example unto others. You will be requited for your works: All toil is owed its wages.

¶ The Parish Priest

Like it or not, I must turn myself in; There is no man whom Death does not assail.line425 Ah, never again will I collect My parishioners’ offerings or funeral fees. I must go before the judge To give account of myself, wretched and suffering. Now I fear greatly coming up short:line430 Happy is he whom God fully acquits.

¶ Death

Laborer, you who have lived out All your days in care and toil, You must die — that is for certain. It is no use drawing back or arguing.line435 You should be glad to die, For Death delivers you from great misery. Come closer, I am waiting for you: He is a fool who thinks to live forever.

¶ The Laborer

I often wished for Death,line440 Yet now I would flee it willingly. I would have preferred to be Hoeing in the vineyards, come rain or wind; I would enjoy that work more than ever before, For fear has got me all turned around.line445 But now no one can escape this step. The world holds no eternal rest.

¶ Death

Get a move on, you are in the wrong, Laborer. You next, Franciscan, You have often preached about Death,line450 So you should marvel less at it; There is no need to act so dismayed. No one is so mighty as to not get detained by Death; Thus it is good to be wary of dying. Death is poised to strike at any time.

¶ The Franciscan

line455 What is it to live in this world? No man resides there in safety. All kinds of vanity abounds there, Then comes Death, who attacks everyone. Being a mendicant protects me not one bit;line460 One must pay amends for one’s misdeeds. God works swiftly; Wise is the sinner who mends his ways.

¶ Death

Little child newly born, You will have little joy in the world.line465 You shall be led to the dance Like the others, for Death has power Over all from the day of their birth. Each must make offering unto Death; He is a fool who does not realize this.line470 The more one lives the more one suffers.

¶ The Child

A, A, A, I do not know how to speak. Being a child, I am mute. Born yesterday, today I must depart; I do nothing but enter and exit.line475 I did no misdeed, but I am wet with fear. I should take this in stride — that would be best. God’s decree does not change: The young die along with the old.

¶ Death

Do you think you can escape Death,line480 Clerk, desperate to back away? You must not struggle so. Many a man who thinks to climb high Is seen to be abruptly cast back down. Take it in stride, let us go together,line485 For it is no use resisting: God punishes everyone when He sees fit.

¶ The Clerk

Must a young employed clerk, Who takes pleasure in service, Thereby hoping to advance himself,line490 Die so soon? That is harsh. I am released from ever striving For any other rank: thus must I dance. Death has taken me at its convenience; Much of what a fool thinks remains unrealized.

¶ Death

line495 Clerk, you absolutely must not refuse To dance; put your best foot forward. You are not alone — get up — Therefore you should be less upset about it. You are next, that is my will,line500 Man who was raised in a hermitage; Grief does not befit you. Life is not granted in perpetuity.

¶ The Hermit

Despite a hard and solitary existence, Death denies me the opportunity to live.line505 Everyone sees it, thus one must stop complaining. Now I pray God that He make me a gift: That is, that He pardon all my sins. I am fully satisfied with all His goods, Which I made use of by His grace.line510 He who is unsatisfied with what he has, has nothing.

¶ Death responds to him

That is well said, one should talk thus; No one may be delivered from Death. He who lives badly will end up with worse, So everyone should think to live well.line515 God will weigh everything out exactly; It is good to think on this night and day. There is no better wisdom in the book: We have no tomorrow, none of us.

¶ The dead King eaten by worms

You who in this imageline520 See the different estates dance Consider what is human nature: It is nothing more than food for worms. I am the proof, lying before you, Though I was a crowned king.line525 Good or wicked, you will end up the same. Every estate will be given to the worms.

¶ Doctor Machabre

When you really think about it, man is nothing, A mere passing thing. Anyone can see it in this dance.line530 Therefore you who see the depiction, Hold it well in your memory, For it encourages both men and women To attain the glory of paradise. He is fortunate who celebrates in the heavens.

¶ The Doctor again

line535 But there are some who pay no heed, As if there were neither heaven Nor hell. Alas, they will have a very warm welcome. The books that the saints wrote long ago Prove it beautifully.line540 Pay off your debts, you who pass through here, And do good works — I say no more. Good deeds are worth a great deal to the dead.

¶ Angel and Teacher speak:

The Lord created all mortals in light So they could seize the greatest joys of heaven through their merits.line545 Happy is that man, at least, who continually directs his mind thither And wakefully avoids every crime; Nor is he unhappy, if his evil deed makes him penitent And if it is his custom to lament for his crime often. But men live as if no death can pursue them,line550 And as if Hell were a mere fairy tale, Though the Sacred Page teaches that living sensations are set free by Death And it shows the punishments of Erebus. The man who has no fear of them lives utterly unhappily and mad, And when he is dead, he will feel the pyre.line555 So therefore, let every wise man strive to live Such that the Lake of Hades may not be feared at all.

The end