[Wittenberg,] November 10, 1535 Luther thanks Jonas for a hare and some birds, and reports on some of his daily activities and correspondence matters: he has written to Jonas about an as yet undecided affair of a procuress; he and Bugenhagen have had breakfast with the papal envoy, Pietro Paolo Vergerio, who had suddenly come to Wittenberg; the people of Frankfurt have written to him about the pressure which Albrecht of Mainz is putting on them to restore the celebration of the mass. In this connection Luther points out that he needs the help of his friends for all the problems he faces, and that it is a shame that the plague (which barely does any harm in the city) should keep his friends away. Luther also includes a letter from the pastor at Colditz and an "eloquent" writing by Hans von Dolzig. Then Luther mentions that the Elector has thus far had a good trip, and that there must be a mix-up regarding the persons who supposedly are accompanying the Elector on this trip. In conclusion Luther extends his wife's and his own greetings to the Jonas family, and mentions the sale of linen which Jonas had offered.
On Justus Jonas, see LW 48, 275, n. 3, and above, pp. 93, n. 3, 107, n. 1.
Text in Latin: WA, Br 7, 321–322.
I thank you for the hare and the birds,2 excellent Jonas. I have much too much that I could write [about], but I am sluggish, and affairs are too complicated for me to be able to write about them in view of all the work I have to do. I have written about that procuress.3 As yet I do not know what will happen to her, but I hope that she will be evicted from town.
Suddenly, out of the blue,4 the legate of the Roman pope showed up also in this town.5 Now he is with the Margrave.6 This man seems to fly rather than ride. How I wished that you had been here! The legate invited me and Pomer7 for breakfast, since I had refused an evening meal because of the bath.8 I came and ate with him in the castle. But I am not permitted to write to anyone about what I said. During the whole meal I played the role of Luther himself;9 I also acted as the representative of the Englishman Antony,10 whom the papal legate had also invited,11 [and I did so] in an extremely vexing way (as Anthony has written to you).12 [More] about this in person.
The people of Frankfurt have written to me13 and complained that they are pressured by the [Arch]bishop of Mainz14 to restore masses and ceremonies. In all these matters I need you people15 here.
But I am forced to carry these burdens alone and answer by myself because of that plague (that is, the devil), which rejoices that it is able to keep us apart for such a long time through one or two funerals.16
May God set free and protect his Word.
I am sending you the letter of Augustin,17 the pastor at Colditz, in which you can read about that turbulent sect of the Epicureans among those braggarts.18 Nevertheless God is able to revenge himself, when he is despised. I am also sending the eloquent writing of [von] Dolzig.19
Concerning our Sovereign's20 good trip up to Prague21 you need not have any doubts. Philip22 writes for the third time23 already that Brück24 is in Jena. Perhaps it is Bleycardus,25 for he is with the Sovereign, and affairs and names have been mixed up: that is, previously Brück was ill, and Bleycardus went with the Sovereign, as if he were Brück.
My Katie greets you and your whole family. She continues reading,26 only the tragedy concerning that procuress27 has robbed her of eight days. Concerning the sale of linen (which you offer), she answers that you can easily imagine what she would do in such a dangerous28 situation, especially in view of such great, promising freedom to make up the reading, [or] fear to lose this opportunity.29
Kind greetings in Christ to your whole family!
To Philip Melanchthon