Luther wishes to be rid of the sick Margravine Elisabeth and complains about her wasteful nature.
The original is in the Weimar Archives, Reg. C, fol. 16, No. 12. 2. Printed by Burkhardt, p. 289. - The reply was made on 9 Dec.
Grace and peace and my poor pater noster to God. Most illustrious, highborn Prince, most gracious Lord! Now my most gracious wife writes to E. C. F. G. about the arrival (as she indicates to me) of Margrave Hans. But I have hindered and misappropriated the letters to Margrave Hansen. Therefore, E. C. F. G. will know how to understand her gracious writings. The brain is still as soft as butter and again wants to do a lot and has a lot of ripening to do, so that from now on I almost don't know how to keep myself. She had become fine, but when the money came from [the] sons, it started again, and there is no measure nor cessation of squandering and economizing. She also gave me two tumblers and a hundred gold florins inside. But I cannot and will not accept them, for many reasons. You disdain this, and the situation is such that I am tired of the being and would like to be rid of it: therefore I ask most humbly that E. C. F. G. would graciously help me. If it cannot or will not be otherwise, I will at least let them go to Lichtenberg in God's name, be it better or worse. For I cannot (because the Mark is in such a position) do such things on my own.
Letters from the year 1537. no. 2389. 2390. 2391.
nor lay, and have persevered long enough. 1) Christ our dear Lord be with E. C. F. G. always, Amen. Friday after Martinmas [Nov. 16] 1537.
E. C. F. G.
subservient
Martinus Luther.
No. 2390.