❧ The Dance and Song of Death.  
 the Dance of Death 

Come dance this trace ye people all,  
Both Prince and Beggar I say:  
Yea old, young, wise, and Fools I call,  
To grave come take your way.  
For Sickness pipes thereto,  
By griefs and pangs of wo.   
The Child.   a child participating in the Dance of Death 
The old man.   an old man participating in the Dance of Death  depiction of a skeleton participating in the Dance of Death 
The Beggar.   depiction of a beggar 
The King.   depiction of a king participating in the Dance of Death  depiction of a skeleton participating in the Dance of Death 
The Foole.   a fool participating in the Dance of Death 
The wise man.   a wise man participating in the Dance of Death  depiction of a skeleton participating in the Dance of Death 
sickness deaths minstrel   sickness personified, sitting over an open grave playing music for the Dance of Death  
 depiction of Death visiting a rich man in the counting-house 

From your gold and silver,  
To grave ye must dance:  
Though you love it so dear,  
And have therein affiance    
 depiction of Death visiting one in prison 

Thy prison and chains,  
From grave cannot keep:  
But dance (though in pains)  
Thou shalt thereto creep.    
 depiction of Death visiting lovers 

Ye dallying fine Lovers,  
In midst of your cheer:  
To dance here be partners,  
And to grave draw ye near.    
 depiction of Death visiting a judge 

From throne of just judgement,  
Sir judge dance with us,  
To grave come incontinent.  
From state so glorious.