UUB, H. 154, f. 20v

Reverendissimo in Christo Patri ac Domino, domino Ioannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of Ermland⌊Ioanni DantiscoIoannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of Ermland⌋ episcopo Varmiensi etc. domino et futuro Maecenati suo cum primis observando

Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński, Heilsberga), town in Ermland (Warmia), the main seat of the bishops of Ermland⌊HeilsbergaeHeilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński, Heilsberga), town in Ermland (Warmia), the main seat of the bishops of Ermland⌋

UUB, H. 154, f. 15r

Gratiam et pacem in Jesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ), in Christianity the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament⌊IesuJesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ), in Christianity the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament⌋ Domino. Reverendissime in Christo Pater.

Videor mihi nunc non paulo felicior, quandoquidem patronorum meorum numero tantus accessit vir et is praesul, adeoque longe doctissimus praesul, et qui hoc nomine in Spain (Hispania)⌊HispaniaSpain (Hispania)⌋, Italy (Italia)⌊ItaliaItaly (Italia)⌋ ac Germany (Germania, Niemcy)⌊GermaniaGermany (Germania, Niemcy)⌋ celebris habeatur apud plerosque. Quid enim attinet de Prussia, region in central Europe, bordered by Pomerania, Poland, Lithuania and Livonia. From 1466 Prussia was divided into Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), which was a part of the Kingdom of Poland, and Teutonic Prussia (Prussia Ordinis Theutonici) – covering the remnants of the former territory of the Teutonic Order’s state in Prussia. In 1525, the Order’s last Grand Master, Albrecht von Hohenzollern, converted to Lutheranism and became the first lay duke in former Teutonic Prussia (dux in Prussia), which from then on was called Ducal Prussia (Prussia Ducalis). At that time, as a result of the treaty of Cracow, Ducal Prussia became a fief of the kings of Poland⌊PrussiaPrussia, region in central Europe, bordered by Pomerania, Poland, Lithuania and Livonia. From 1466 Prussia was divided into Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), which was a part of the Kingdom of Poland, and Teutonic Prussia (Prussia Ordinis Theutonici) – covering the remnants of the former territory of the Teutonic Order’s state in Prussia. In 1525, the Order’s last Grand Master, Albrecht von Hohenzollern, converted to Lutheranism and became the first lay duke in former Teutonic Prussia (dux in Prussia), which from then on was called Ducal Prussia (Prussia Ducalis). At that time, as a result of the treaty of Cracow, Ducal Prussia became a fief of the kings of Poland⌋ patria comminisci, ubi est heros ille magno in pretio, non tam eruditionis quam pietatis causa? Felices vero armatas,

Verum ineptus sim, si meis inconditis versiculis ac sinistro natis Apollo one of the twelve great Olympian gods, son of Zeus and Leto, twin brother of Artemis⌊ApollineApollo one of the twelve great Olympian gods, son of Zeus and Leto, twin brother of Artemis⌋ Tua Celsitudo delectari, non enim dicam ornari arbitrer, ut quae vel citra quorumvis elogia, sua, hoc est virtutis, laude fruatur. Equidem non soleo pangere carmina, immo non calleo, nec huic rei hoc quidem tempore do vel tantillum operae, quippe austero illi ac odioso studiorum generi addictus, quod theologicum appellant. Nunc vero incidit in mentem nescio quo afflatu, ut familiariter scribens on the margin⌈scribensscribens on the margin⌉ ad Dantiscum illum scribens, episcopalis fastigii iubar, luUUB, H. 154, f. 15vderem sane quam agresti calamo, nisi forte eo audaciae me pertraxit Dantisci Musa, mirum dictu qualis, ut quidem illa sese in probably Ioannes Dantiscus (Jan Dantyszek), Ioannis Dantisci episcopi Varmiensis Carmen paraeneticum, iuvenibus huius temporis non inutile, ad ingenuum adolescentem Constantem Alliopagum, Kraków, Hieronymus WIETOR, 1539 ⌊libelloprobably Ioannes Dantiscus (Jan Dantyszek), Ioannis Dantisci episcopi Varmiensis Carmen paraeneticum, iuvenibus huius temporis non inutile, ad ingenuum adolescentem Constantem Alliopagum, Kraków, Hieronymus WIETOR, 1539 ⌋ exeruit, quem nuper Tua Celsitudo cf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Georg WITZEL (VICELIUS) Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1539, Summer or Autumn, CIDTC IDL 7241, letter lost⌊litteriscf. Ioannes DANTISCUS to Georg WITZEL (VICELIUS) Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński), 1539, Summer or Autumn, CIDTC IDL 7241, letter lost⌋ suis adiunctum ad me ex Heilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński, Heilsberga), town in Ermland (Warmia), the main seat of the bishops of Ermland⌊HeilsbergaHeilsberg (Lidzbark Warmiński, Heilsberga), town in Ermland (Warmia), the main seat of the bishops of Ermland⌋ misit. Atqui ego on the margin⌈egoego on the margin⌉ poetae quidem litteris respondere potero versifex, sed minime poeta immo ne versifex quidem, si ipse me acrius circumspiciam, sed nugator potius,

Quod autem Tua Celsitudo delucubrationibus meis tam honorifice praedicat, easque sibi cum primis placere testificatur, non perinde agnosco, quod certo sciam Tuam Celsitudinem amorem hidden by binding⌈[em]em hidden by binding⌉ religionis abs me defensae, non etiam styli, qui ipse mihi displicet, admiratione candidius pronuntiare de meis leptologematis, sane ut eruditis oculis atque auribus haec arrideant, quae lucubro, numquam hidden by binding⌈[uam]uam hidden by binding⌉ sperare potui, in tanta nimirum optimorum librorum copia, quam ingenisosissima typographia velut ex locupletissimo κειmelio perbenigne in orbem effundit. Nos certe

UUB, H. 154, f. 16r

Nihilo tamen minus nos adfligit Saxonica superinscribed in place of crossed-out Germanica⌈GermanicaSaxonicaSaxonica superinscribed in place of crossed-out Germanica⌉ factio, atque hoc variis modis. Exhibet molestias Hesse (Hessen, Hessia), country landgraviate within the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, today in the State of Hesse in Germany⌊HessiaHesse (Hessen, Hessia), country landgraviate within the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, today in the State of Hesse in Germany⌋, odit et insidiatur Thuringia (Freistaat Thüringen), county in central part of Germany⌊ThuringiaThuringia (Freistaat Thüringen), county in central part of Germany⌋, Saxony (Sachsen, Saxonia), duchy in central Germany, state of the Holy Roman Empire⌊SaxoniaSaxony (Sachsen, Saxonia), duchy in central Germany, state of the Holy Roman Empire⌋ hostiliter insectatur, Meißen (Misna), town in southeastern Germany, on the Elbe river, 25 km NW of Dresden⌊MisniaMeißen (Misna), town in southeastern Germany, on the Elbe river, 25 km NW of Dresden⌋ captat in animam meam, Marchia nova written over o⌈oaa written over o⌉s mihi cruces fabricat, et minitatur caedes, quin tamen hic neque concionatoris vice fungar, neque UUB, H. 154, f. 16v libros, quod solebam, incudi chalcographicae datos evulgem. Traducor vulgo, ut qui remorer Verbum Dei apud ill(ustrissimu)m on the margin⌈ill(ustrissimu)m or ill(ustre)m⌈ill(ustrissimu)mill(ustrissimu)m or ill(ustre)m⌉ill(ustrissimu)m on the margin⌉ principem electorem, cum nihil minus faciam, nec eo segnius per totam provinciam verbum Martin Luther (Martinus Lutherus) (*1483 – †1546), theologian, leader and originator of the German Reformation⌊LuteriMartin Luther (Martinus Lutherus) (*1483 – †1546), theologian, leader and originator of the German Reformation⌋ disseminetur. Ais quorsum haec? Horsum, ut Tuae Celsitudini hisce litteris significem, quae fuerit ratio lucubrationum mearum et quantum adversitatis eae qualescumque auctore suo pepererint. De fructu, quem ex his catholici homines capiunt, ad me quotidie et undique scribitur, quo laetiore nuntio tristitiam e pectore discutere consuevi, και ευφημια[1] solatur, quem δυσφημια[2] perturbarat. Profecto verisimile haudquaquam est, id hominum genus sincerum Dei Verbum quaerere, tanto ausu, tanta temeritate, tanta denique malarum rerum inexhausta cupiditate, contemnunt veros bonos beneque de Christianismo meritos, se suaque tantum adirantur, condemnant, quos non audierunt, insaniunt in eos, qui publicam orbis salutem vel cruoris sui dispendio redemerint. Nolim istaec invidiosissima longius persequi. Ceterum de relatione Matthias Wolrab ⌊Matthiae VuolrabMatthias Wolrab ⌋ Tuae Celsitudinis nomine ad meam parvitatem alio tempore oportunius respondebo. Utinam vero id re ipsa praestare queam, quod Tua Celsitudo pro sua in me immeritum dilectione cupit. Et quis tandem est omnium praesulum huius tempestatis, quo ms. qui(!) ⌈quoquo ms. qui(!) ⌉ cum libentius vitam agerem, atque magnus ille Dantiscus? Gestio pectus illud sanum ac doctum exosculari et revereri ven UUB, H. 154, f. 17r erabilem canitiem hominis laudatissimmi. In Marchia quidem ita se res habet, ut non usque adeo multum salis hic absumpturus sim. Αχέω superinscribed in place of crossed-out Αχω⌈ΑχωΑχέωΑχέω superinscribed in place of crossed-out Αχω⌉[3] άρχοντα ημων πειθόμeνον τον αθλιον, φευ ουτος ακριβεζερον τους χουθερομανιτας ηκουε, αχεω καλον τον ηροα εις ταυτα μανθευματα αγαν ανθρωπινα ηπτατηθη[4]. Verum tamen non per omnia cum illis facit φιλιπ μελαγχολων on the margin in place of crossed-out ων⌈ωνχολωνχολων on the margin in place of crossed-out ων⌉[5], ουρβαν βασειλισκος,ιακωβηλλος αλλοιτεσχιςματικοι[6], non perinde probant eius incoeptionem, quod videatur παπιζικοτερο[7] esse, ita enim isti loqui solent. Μισουσιν γαρ εικη της εκκλησιας παρατηρησεις ας δε ο αρχων μη αφιεναι θελει[8]. Quo sit evasurum hoc, ignoro[9]. εγω ορθωδοξος εσομαι, καθως ην, εν πασιν κονδυoνοις, α καθ ημεραν μοι επικειμ adscribed⌈μμ adscribed⌉ονται[10].

Sed iam diu satis versificatum est. Impleo proverbium: Qui pessimus est cantor, is potissimum ambit canere. Tua Celsitudo humanissima, nihil dubito, quin sit veniam datura ludicro, tametsi parum litterato. Excusat αμουσον[11] theologiae gravitas et ita de integro studiorum laboribus obruor, ut non UUB, H. 154, f. 17v vacet cudere carmen elaboratius. Ελληνισ[12] vero paucula illa obiter inserui, propter insidiatricis calumniae periculum, cuius gratia nolim hac epistola a quovis legi. Porro quoties otium est ab aula multipliciter amara huic animo, circumvolito passim per historiographos Ecclesiae, accurate conquirens, si quid ullubi(?) inveniri queat, quod pertineat ad vitas Sanctorum. Nam fert animus agiologium scribere, tinam vero id tam feliciter possem, quam libenter velim. Id materiae Leipzig (Lipsia), city in southern Germany, Saxony⌊LipsiaeLeipzig (Lipsia), city in southern Germany, Saxony⌋ primum meditabar, nec diffido ei operae iam supremam manum impositam esse, nisi me novus Pharo, qui ignorabat Ioseph, ex illa urbe totaque Meißen (Misna), town in southeastern Germany, on the Elbe river, 25 km NW of Dresden⌊MisniaeMeißen (Misna), town in southeastern Germany, on the Elbe river, 25 km NW of Dresden⌋ terra fugavisset, sive quia libros edideram in pseudevangelicam sectam sive quia in eandem, si licuisset, plures eram editurus. Fugavit in exilium miserum me Sylla(?) et parum afuit, quin spoliasset etiam relictum theologειον. Ea iactura temporis, quod exul perdidi, cedit in detrimentum non tam familiae meae, quam Ecclesiae communis. Neque tamen omnino Reipublicae sterilis fuit fuga illa, praeterquam quod plurimarum rerum nobis et notitiam praebuit et usum. Alioqui quod ad patientiam malorum attinet, usurpare mihi illud ex ele hidden by binding⌈[e]e hidden by binding⌉giis tristissimi poetae potero: Qui iam consuevi fortiter hidden by binding⌈[r]r hidden by binding⌉ esse miser. Hic virtutis honos. Vellem Tua Celsitudo e bibliothecis Prussia, region in central Europe, bordered by Pomerania, Poland, Lithuania and Livonia. From 1466 Prussia was divided into Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), which was a part of the Kingdom of Poland, and Teutonic Prussia (Prussia Ordinis Theutonici) – covering the remnants of the former territory of the Teutonic Order’s state in Prussia. In 1525, the Order’s last Grand Master, Albrecht von Hohenzollern, converted to Lutheranism and became the first lay duke in former Teutonic Prussia (dux in Prussia), which from then on was called Ducal Prussia (Prussia Ducalis). At that time, as a result of the treaty of Cracow, Ducal Prussia became a fief of the kings of Poland⌊PrussiaePrussia, region in central Europe, bordered by Pomerania, Poland, Lithuania and Livonia. From 1466 Prussia was divided into Royal Prussia (Prussia Regalis), which was a part of the Kingdom of Poland, and Teutonic Prussia (Prussia Ordinis Theutonici) – covering the remnants of the former territory of the Teutonic Order’s state in Prussia. In 1525, the Order’s last Grand Master, Albrecht von Hohenzollern, converted to Lutheranism and became the first lay duke in former Teutonic Prussia (dux in Prussia), which from then on was called Ducal Prussia (Prussia Ducalis). At that time, as a result of the treaty of Cracow, Ducal Prussia became a fief of the kings of Poland⌋ aut Poland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia)⌊PoloniaePoland (Kingdom of Poland, Polonia)⌋ vetustissimis, si quid egregii supersit, utpote fragmentum ali UUB, H. 154, f. 18r quod legendarum, quas vocant, de divis, huic operi iuvando ad me mitteret, incolume remittendum istuc, simulatque foret transscriptum. Ipse multas ubique bibliothecas pariter et bibliopolia revisi, venans archaea[13] quaedam, sed nihil fere probatum in manus uspiam incurrit. Quae suppetebant, erant ... illegible⌈...... illegible⌉ protrita illa, quorum multitudine ... illegible⌈...... illegible⌉ mundus laborat. Bene valeat Tua Celsitudo, colendissime et Ecclesia digne Antistes. Et commendet serenissimo ac invictissimo Sigismund I Jagiellon (Zygmunt I) (*1467 – †1548), King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (1506-1548); Duke of Głogów (Glogau) (1499-1506), Duke of Opava (1501-1506), Governor of Silesia (1504-1506); son of King Kazimierz IV Jagiellon and Elisabeth of Austria⌊regi PoloniaeSigismund I Jagiellon (Zygmunt I) (*1467 – †1548), King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (1506-1548); Duke of Głogów (Glogau) (1499-1506), Duke of Opava (1501-1506), Governor of Silesia (1504-1506); son of King Kazimierz IV Jagiellon and Elisabeth of Austria⌋ infelicem Vicelium ceu Odysseus (Ulysses, Ulixes), mythical Greek king of Ithaca, hero of the Homer's epic poems Ilias and Odyssey, renown of his sagacity and cunning⌊UlissemOdysseus (Ulysses, Ulixes), mythical Greek king of Ithaca, hero of the Homer's epic poems Ilias and Odyssey, renown of his sagacity and cunning⌋ quendam illuc hucque iactatum ac reiactatum. John Zápolya (János Szapolyai) (*1487 – †1540), 1526-1540 King of Hungary; son of István Szapolyai and Jadwiga of Cieszyn in 1540 married Isabella, dauther of of King Sigismund Jagiellon of Poland. He fought against Ferdinand of Habsburg for the right to the title of King of Hungary⌊Regem UngariaeJohn Zápolya (János Szapolyai) (*1487 – †1540), 1526-1540 King of Hungary; son of István Szapolyai and Jadwiga of Cieszyn in 1540 married Isabella, dauther of of King Sigismund Jagiellon of Poland. He fought against Ferdinand of Habsburg for the right to the title of King of Hungary⌋ favere exuli mihi amicorum litterae peramice nuntiant. Expecto a Tua Celsitudine consolatorias.

Dat(ae) or Dat(um)⌈Dat(ae)Dat(ae) or Dat(um)⌉ Berlin (Berolinum), city in Germany, capital of Brandenburg⌊BerliniBerlin (Berolinum), city in Germany, capital of Brandenburg⌋, 8 Decembris Anno M D XXXIX.

Tuae Celsitudinis famulus Georg Witzel (Georg Wetzel, Vicelius, Wicelius) (*1501 – †1573), Catholic theologian. After his studies at the University of Erfurt and in Wittenberg, he was ordained priest. Under the influence of Luther's teaching he converted to Lutheranism and married in 1524. In 1525 was appointed to the pastorate of Wenigenlupnitz and later to the pastorate of Niemeck. In 1527 he converted back to Catholicism. (ADB, Bd. 43, s. 657-662)⌊Georg ViceliusGeorg Witzel (Georg Wetzel, Vicelius, Wicelius) (*1501 – †1573), Catholic theologian. After his studies at the University of Erfurt and in Wittenberg, he was ordained priest. Under the influence of Luther's teaching he converted to Lutheranism and married in 1524. In 1525 was appointed to the pastorate of Wenigenlupnitz and later to the pastorate of Niemeck. In 1527 he converted back to Catholicism. (ADB, Bd. 43, s. 657-662)⌋

[1] On the margin annotation in another hand: et bona fama.

[2] On the margin annotation in another hand: mala fama.

[4] On the margin annotation in another hand: doleo principem nostrum obedientem vel persuasum eum miserum heu diligentius ille Lutheri sp(irit)u furentes audivit doleo bonum heroem in has doctrinas valde humanas seductum.

[6] F. [1v] unnumbered after f. 17v annotation in another hand: Philippus Melancholia fervens, Urbanus Basilicus, Iacobellus, aliique schismatici.

[7] F. [1v] unnumbered after f. 17v annotation in another hand: magis papisticus.

[8] F. [1r] unnumbered after f. 17v annotation in another hand: Odio enim habent intempestiue ecclesiae obseruationes quas quidem princeps non dimittere vult.

[9] F. [1r] unnumbered after f. 17v annotation in another hand: μισουσιν γαρ εικη της εκκλησιας παρατηρησεις ας δε ο αρχων μη αφιεναι θελει. Quo sit evasurum hoc, ignoro.

[10] F. [1v] unnumbered after f. 17v annotation in another hand: Ego orthodoxus ero, quemadmodum fueram in omnibus periculis, quae cotidie mihi inminent.

[11] On the margin annotation in another hand: ineruditum.

[12] On the margin annotation in another hand: graece.

[13] archea with superinscribed: antiqua, prisca.

[14] Postscript in Wezel’s hand.