Before January 12, 1536.
1. grace and peace in Christ our Lord, and my poor Pater noster, if anything would or could help. Most gracious Lord! I have heard it so often and many times now, how E. C. F. G. almost try to bury and cover poor Hans Schauzeus' blessed blood through various ways and persons, also through some of the nobility and jurisprudence; 1) as they previously wanted to bury the innocent blood of Magister Georgen in this way, and I myself did my foolish service to this at that time, as I had good thoughts of the Cardinal of Mainz, used by the dear pious man, Doctor Johann Rühel, and pushed such blood onto the canons of Mainz from the bishop; thus it was more credible at that time. Because I then realize that E. C. F. G. rely on it and think that they are now safe (although Mrs. Conscientia, probably differently [speaks, than] E. C. F. G. speak, this has no doubt), and E. C. F. G. therefore want to withdraw with honor from the
1) i. e. shyster. Thus Luther writes mockingly instead of 1uri8x>6i-ito8 - Rechtsgelehrte.
Both bloods work, and let the shame remain on the dead, like a female Epicurus, who does not believe that Abel lives in God, and his blood cries out before and more, as Cain the fratricide means: so I will 2) now begin, as I am awakened by God, to be a common devil over you Roman devils, 3) murderer and bloodhound (as some call me), Elias over Ahab and Jezebel. And send E. C. F. G. herewith enclosed new newspaper, from which E. C. F. G. to notice that Hans Schanzen's blood is not so quietly silent in German lands, as in E. C. C. F. G. chamber among the ear blowers. And hope E. C. F. G. conscience will sing a fine discant in such tenor and say Amen to it without E. C. F. G. will.
2 About such new newspaper, so often come to me, run far back and forth, I know
2) So the Wittenberg and Jena; "I" is missing in De Wette.
3) The words: "about you Roman devils" are missing in De Wette, but are in the Wittenberg and Jena editions.
*This letter is found in the Wittenberg edition (1559), vol. XII, p. 276; in the Jena edition (1568), vol. VI, p. 360; in the Altenburg edition, vol. VI, p. 918; in the Leipzig edition, vol. XXI, p. 82; in the Erlangen edition, vol. SS, 125 and in De Wette, vol. IV, p. 676. According to the latter, we have included the text by comparing the Wittenberg and Jena editions. The date is according to Köstlin (3rd ed.), II, 672 aä p. 433.
1886 Erl. SS, ISS-IA. Triplicate appendix of some of Luther's controversial writings. W. LIX. 2347-23S0. 1887
for myself, that E. C. F. G. Hans Schanzen, if his cause was hanged in the imperial chamber court, and the friendship offered itself honorably and higher than it was due, nevertheless hanged, behind the knowledge not only of the friendship, but also of the whole city of Halle, which shall be struck out in its time. In addition, the poor man was not allowed an advocate nor responsibility, which would have been praiseworthy for such a great gentleman, and also fair to do.
It is also said, certainly and truly, that because C.F.G. did not know how to pay the debt, Hans Schanz had to take it upon himself with death, although the debtors still do not want to be paid with it, and Cain does not want to succeed with his remedy. In addition, Hans Schanz is to be imprisoned in the Moritzburg, where no bishop has the right or power to life and limb, as little as in the entire city of Halle, and thus strangled and hanged by E. C. F. G. with all outrage and bravery.
4. so I have also read in E. C. F. G.'s letters, namely, written to Antonius Schanzen, how friendship should almost be the cause that E. C. F. G. hanged and murdered Hans Schanzen: I have heard and seen many a ransom deed from Cardinals, but I would not have thought E. Cardinal's Holiness such an impudent evil worm that she should mock the poor people, about such an angry, malicious little trick. God grant mercy to E. C. H., 1) that she also once sends me such or such a letter or message, which concerns me, then E. C. H. shall get bath and lye.
Because C. H. shits in the Emperor's court, takes away the freedom of the city of Halle and the right of the sword in Saxony, and considers all the world and reason to be lazy ass-wipes (that is almost what the speeches say), and acts in all things papal, Roman and cardinal; so, God willing, our Lord God will send us through our prayers one day, that C. H. will have to sweep out the dirt himself.
1) Wittenberger and Jenaer: E. C. H. d. i. Ew. Cardinalische Heiligkett, until the end of the writing. De Wette has instead E. C. F. G.
6 And whether Hans Schanz was a thief (if no one wants), shall come through me (God wants) to public speeches. For I am silly enough; however, I sometimes dream that he is not to be considered a thief, who in his master's goods must act in the highest confidence, by order, and does not intend to steal anything, nor to leave it unpaid, and also sets sufficient guarantors and sureties. Otherwise, the Cardinal of Mainz should have long since been hanged ten times on a gallows higher than three Giebichenstein, as the St. Moritz estate is so shamefully spoiled and misappropriated, the bishop's estate now treasures and spoils more than thirteen times, and spoils it all with smokehouse 2) and puppetry. I do not know about whores this time, without his C.H. having taken from the poor vomit 3) Elfe blessed in Magdeburg (as she confesses at death), which he has not given her.
7. robbing also otherwise from churches and monasteries, as if it were a cardinal holiness at Rome. Will here remain silent, what robbery or theft that is, that E. C. H. chases away the citizens of Halle; that they have no right, and still unimplemented thing is, and summa, do what they want, no one considered.
(8) Thereupon, I will report to the E. C. H. what I want to do, since such blood cries are oppressive, and my oral writing of Magister Georgen blood repents; especially because the canons of Mainz almost murmur at me, as if I have done them injustice. I will take Hans Schanzen's last words, when he cried out against violence and then died, that he did not deserve such death, regardless of the fact that E. C. H. had his teeth broken out and a forced confession (which E. C. H. would have let go) was made by him, and E. C. H. will take them with him. C. F. G. a Fastnacht, if I am alive and healthy, which shall be merry and good with God's help. E. C. H. let the feet itch well to the dance, I will be the piper. Can Squire Cain say: Nescio, numquid custos sum fratris mei ego? Thus, God can say: MalediLtus tu äs torra.
2) i.e. foolishness.
3) i. e. whore. Cf. Walch, St. Louis edition, vol. XIII, 2764, § 10; "Kolzsche" in Mathesius, Luthers Leben, St. Louis edition, p. 252 f.
1888 Erl. 55, ISS. SS, 1S f. d. Wider Herzog Georg und Cardinal Albrecht. W. XIX, 2350-2882. 1889
9 Well, I will indicate reasons enough, why I will write. I am writing this only because I do not want an answer or mercy (nor do I hope that E. C. H. will become a toothbreaker or executioner over me), but so that E. C. H. will be able to answer me.
and Jurisperäiti do not have to be angry afterwards: I would have neither admonished nor indicated anything before. Christ will send it. Hiemit GOtt befohlen, wo E. C. H. vor dem rothen Bluthütlein sich befehlen ihm wollen, 1536.
Doctor Martinus Luther.