Death now proceeds, as in the old pictures and poems, to summon, first, the Pope, then cardinals, kings, bishops, and so on, down to day-laborers; all of whom are forced to join his mortal dance, though each first makes some remonstrance, that indicates surprise, horror, or reluctance. The call to youth and beauty is spirited:-- Bring to my dance, and bring without delay, Those damsels twain, you see so bright and fair; They came, but came not in a willing way, To list my chants of mortal grief and care: Nor shall the flowers and roses fresh they wear, Nor rich attire, avail their forms to save. They strive in vain who strive against the grave; It may not be; my wedded brides they are.[148] [148] I have a manuscript copy of the whole poem, made for me by Professor Gayangos, and give the following as specimens. First, one of the stanzas translated in the text:-- A esta mi Danza traye de presente Estas dos donçellas que vedes fermosas; Ellas vinieron de muy mala mente A oyr mis canciones que son dolorosas. Mas non les valdran flores ny rosas, Nin las composturas que poner solian. De mi si pudiesen partir se querrian, Mas non puede ser, que son mis esposas. And the two following, which have not, I believe, been printed; the first being the reply of Death to the Dean he had summoned, and the last the objections of the Merchant:-- _Dice la Muerte._ Don rico avariento Dean muy ufano, Que vuestros dineros trocastes en oro, A pobres e a viudas cerrastes la mano, E mal despendistes el vuestro tesoro, Non quiero que estedes ya mas en el coro; Salid luego fuera sin otra peresa. Ya vos mostraré venir à pobresa.-- Venit, Mercadero, a la dança del lloro. _Dice el Mercader._ A quien dexaré todas mis riquesas, E mercadurias, que traygo en la mar? Con muchos traspasos e mas sotilesas Gané lo que tengo en cada lugar. Agora la muerte vinó me llamar; Que sera de mi, non se que me faga. O muerte tu sierra á mi es gran plaga. Adios, Mercaderes, que voyme á finar! The fiction is, no doubt, a grim one; but for several centuries it had great success throughout Europe, and it is presented quite as much according to its true spirit in this old Castilian poem as it is anywhere.