The original is in Rome in the Vatican. Facsimile and print in Georg G. Evers, M. Luther, 1. 1883, as supplement, and in Erl. Briefw., vol. X, p. 137. - The Erl. Briefw. says: "We give the text according to Evers, who, however, does not seem to have read without errors; as far as the not particularly successful facsimile allows, the errors are improved." Nevertheless, D. Enders has put no less than thirteen question marks to the readings in Evers and in the facsimile. To us, the letter, at least in its present form, seems somewhat suspicious.
To the honorable, simple-minded man Caspar Möller, count's councilor and chancellor in Mansfeld, my favorable lord and dear godfather.
G. and peace in Christ. Honorable, friendly dear Lord and Godfather! New Newspaper
I don't know much to write to you, because you are at the place, since they come here before, but perhaps not much good, and de(r) evil the more. Your Grammatell, 1) I hear from Joua 2) (because I do not read the books), has given his sows but times Musealen. And what should such sows eat differently, but such Musealen? Eat, dear sows, eat! It is a food for you. To such guests belong such kitchen masters, Quanta est ira Dei in istos homines, ut in seipsos cogantur fieri vindices, cecitate et amentia. Sed de hoc satis [How great is the wrath of God against these people, that they are forced to become punishers in themselves through blindness and nonsense. But enough of this]. I put this into your consideration, if you want to report it to my lord from afar. Herr from afar, that S. G. nevertheless would have a friendly understanding, how to keep the two pious students (with the kitchens). Credible people are also beginning to say (or mumble) that without need, a lot can be raised, so that one can keep four such gentlemen. I myself did not want to tell m. gn. [4) so that the goat at Lubick would not make a fool of me. But because of my lust for my lord, I should keep an eye on him from time to time. Lord should keep an eye on it from time to time, I will tell you beforehand from afar, if you also want to tell it from afar, until we could hold the goat. What's the harm in a friendly stir? The beer is good, the maid beautiful, the journeymen young. The students are truly fine, so that I am often sorry that I cannot be there more often because of my weakness. You should understand this as a poor, simple sheep, as you are famous. For I would gladly be pious, if I could not be so simple as you are. I hereby command God, and greet all our good friends, amen.
Thursday after Judica. Doctor Luther Doctor Plenus.
(postscript lengthwise in the margin:)
My Lord Käthe sends you friendly greetings, and Hans Luther, your godfather, [also]. 5)
1) Wicel.
2) Evers reads: Jena.
3) Evers reads: let.
4) Added by us.
5) Word illegible due to ink stains.
Addendum to the Briesen from 1531 to 1536.
No, 2127.
To Benedict (Gübe? Baworinsky?), archipresbyter of the Bohemian Brethren.
From this letter, the Erlangen correspondence makes two, one to Benedict Baworinsky, vol. X, p. 141, and the other to Benedict Gub, ibid. p. 143, but still leaves it undecided whether one of the two existing redactions is not a retranslation from the Bohemian and identical with the other.
No. 2127a.