There dances the beauteous Duchess,
Laughing loudly all the time.
Her partner is a slender youth,
Looking courteous, agile and fine.

He wears a mask of black velvet,
Whence an eye eagerly peeps,
Sparking like a shining dagger,
Which, out of its sheath, half creeps.

The carnival crowd joyfully shouts,
As they whirl from place to place,
While Drickes and Marizzebill
Loudly great them with a grimace.

The trumpets loudly resound,
The double-bass roar increases,
Until the dance comes to an end,
And then the music ceases.

" Most excellent Lady, your pardon I beg,
I must go to my homely place"
The Duchess laughs: " You cannot go
Before you have shown me your face."

" Most excellent Lady, your pardon I beg,
My sight will fill you with horror."
The Duchess laughs: " I am not afraid,
I wish to see you all the more."

" Most excellent Lady, your pardon I beg,
I belong to death and darkness."
The Duchess laughs: " Do not depart,
I wish to see you none-the-less."

I vain, struggled he, with gloomy words,
To change her determination;
At last she tore the mask off his face,
The subject of her obsession.

It is the Bergen's headsman! Cries
The terrified crowd in the hall and
Timidly shrinks, whereas the Duchess,
Rushes trembling to her husband.

The Duke being wise, he effaces
This disgrace in a single blow:
He draws his Knight's sword, saying:
" Kneel down before me, good fellow! "

" With this sword I make you
A member of the knightly order,
And, being a rascal, you'll be called:
Sir Knave of Bergen thereafter.