About the rumor of the plague in Wittenberg.
From the original in Uckert's handwritten collection in De Wette, vol. IV, p. 635 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 55, p. 109.
To the strict, honorable Johann Riedtesel zum Neumarkt, my favorable lord and dear godfather.
Grace and peace in Christ. Dear Lord and Godfather! I had nothing to write about this time, but I did not want to let Magister Jacobum come, so he will tell you everything about the situation here. Dying is said to be very great here, as they say. For outside of Wittenberg, everything is better known, neither we ourselves in the city. And the further from Wittenberg, the more they know, as it is customary: the further the lie wanders, the fatter and thicker, bigger and stronger, more beautiful and [complete] 1) it becomes. One must grant it that. All (truth) becomes smaller, leaner, when it runs far in length. Give my regards to your dear (housewife) along with all yours, also to our student Johann Riedtesel, who has probably forgotten ours, and write us nothing. My Lord Käthe and your (little) godfather greet you kindly. Hiemit GOtt befohlen; he gebe seine Gnade, dass der Mann ihr [in Gnaden] gedenken, wie ihr begehrt, Amen. 1535, Sanct Franciscus Day [Oct. 4].
Martinus Luther, D.
No. 2175.