Melanchthon reports that the public negotiations have not yet begun and that the emperor has not yet appeared in public. About Faber's death.
Handwritten in Cod. Goth. 191, p.90; in Cod. Lips. ep. 8. and in Ms. Manl. p. 171. Printed in Corp. Ref. , vol. IV, 148.
1) de neutralibus. This expression had been used by the landgrave, which was very much resented. Seckendorf, Hist. Luth. lib. III, p. 354 (De Wette).
To D. Martin Luther.
Hail! Today, the day of Ambrosius, it was said, would be the beginning of the public deliberations, but I hear that a delay has occurred because it could not yet be determined, since the two princes, the Macedonian and Mezentius, disagree on how they could be brought together in the assembly, so that one of them would not seem ignominiously excluded. Such great matters, worthy of heroic men, are being discussed here.
You remember: since our prince had read the Odyssey, he laughed (as he himself spoke) at the Homeric sillinesses; but it is really so: the sillinesses of these convents are still much greater, in fact worth that for their sake I have now almost lost my right hand and often suffered other misfortunes.
Your writing against Mezentius 2) is read here with great eagerness. Although he plans many things and secretly sets them in motion against our people, the good will of all understanding people seems to be turned away from him by God's grace. The disciplinarian rules him artfully; let us pray that God will destroy his attempts. The Macedonian surpasses the other princes in retinue and other courtly splendor. The emperor has not yet appeared in public as long as we have been here. Be well and live happily. I wish your very honored wife good health, also your extremely lovely children and your whole family. On the day of Ambrosius [April 4], from the old colony of the Rhaetians [Regensburg]. Caspar [Cruciger], who wrote this letter, greets you.
I am horrified when I think of the wickedness and scheming of the great ones. Therefore, I would like you to think that I would much rather stay with you than with these monsters who have the name of superiors (xxxxxxxx).
It is certain that Faber of Vienna is dead, who wrote so many tasteless books and had so many godly people cruelly tortured, like the blacksmith (faber) Berillus, and already the investigator Minos shakes the urn for him [Virg.
Aen. lib. VI. 432]. Again, be well.
No. 2765.
(Wittenberg.) Between April 4 and 7, 1541.