TRAUERGEDICHT DES GEKRÖNTEN DICHTERS CORNELIUS PAULUS AMALTHEUS AUF DEN TOD DES RÖMISCHEN KAISERS FRIEDRICH, AN MAXIMILIAN, DEN GÄNZLICH UNBESIEGBAREN KÖNIG DER RÖMER UND DESIGNIERTEN KAISER

This poem is a funeral song in honour of Emperor Frederick III, who died on 19 August 1493. At the beginning of the work, the poet points out that he needs poetic inspiration in order to write a sad poem: the emperor is dead and the universe is in mourning (vv. 1-25). Since his son Maximilian is suffering from this loss, the poet will express such pain by delivering his poetry. (vv. 26-50). The emperor is celebrated through hyperbolic images and metaphors, and is depicted as a fervent Christian and defender of the true faith. Frederick provided the empire with enduring peace (vv. 51-79), he was able to predict the future through his astrological knowledge (vv. 80-125). Had he reigned in antiquity, there would have been no need to punish sinners in the underworld, because no sins would have been committed (vv. 144-159). He strove to bring peace and prosperity for everyone (vv. 160-199). Furthermore, he promoted Christians' alliance in order to fight against the infidels (vv. 200-249). In the following section, the poet celebrates again Frederick's ability to guarantee peace and harmony (250-309) and then develops an excursus dealing with Frederick's deeds (310-385). Amalteo also declares that, in the future, he wishes to celebrate Maximilian's deeds too (386-390). Frederick's celebration contains the description of a prodigy: after a dreadful battle in the Hungarian territory (402-417), the Danube, full of blood and corpses, delivers a speech (418-485), dealing with a prophecy: after his death, Frederick will be turned into a star and divinized. After mentioning Frederick's Christian devotion (452-460), the River-god describes the way the emperor will be welcomed among the stars (461-485). The final section (486-531) contains a description of the emperor's death. Finally, the poet wishes Frederick to assist and support his son Maximilian.