Luther reports to her from Gotha the same as to Melanchthon in the previous letter.
Handwritten in Cod. chart. 402. f. at Gotha. Printed in the Eisleben edition, vol. II, p. 373; in the Altenburg, vol. VI, p. 1073; in the Leipzig, vol. XXI, p. 149; in Walch, vol. XXI, 392; in De Wette, vol. V, p. 58 and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 55, p. 174.
Grace and peace in Christ! In the meantime you may hire special horses for your need.
1) According to Mathesius' report, Luther made this verse in 1530. See St. Louis edition of Mathesius, p. 303 f.
I was allowed, dear Käthe, because my gracious lord will keep your horses and send them home with M. Philipp. For I myself left Schmalkalden yesterday from M. G. H.'s own carriage. The reason is that I have not been well for more than three days, and until this night, from the first Sunday [Feb. 18] on, I have not had a drop of water, have never rested nor slept, and have not been able to drink or eat. Summa, I have been dead, and I have entrusted you and the children to God and to my good Lord, as if I would never see you again; I had taken great pity on you, but I had decided to go to the grave. Now one has prayed so hard for me to God that many people's tears have been able to open my bladders this night, and in two hours a roomful has passed from me, and I think I have been born again.
Therefore, give thanks to God and let the dear little children with their mothers give thanks to the right father; for you would certainly have lost this father. The pious prince has run, ridden, fetched, and with all his might tried his utmost, whether I might be helped; but it has not been willing. Your art does not help me with the dung. God has done wonders for me this night, and is still doing so through the intercession of pious people.
No. 2348.