some captured feathered animals and force them, after they have been taken from the freedom of the kingdom of the air, to walk into the jail of the cooking pots upon24 a city stove.
My Katie cordially and reverently greets you and all your family. But hold a minute, if my wife greets you, I, in mm, greet your wife. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.25 Farewell in the Lord!
[Wittenberg,] September 6, 1535 Luther asks Spalatin's help for an elderly pastor who has been expelled from office. He also reports some news: Robert Barnes is in Wittenberg in order to get Melanchthon to come to England; Hartmuth von
Cronberg is searching for his sister and has visited Luther; the cities of Greece supposedly call Emperor Charles the liberator from the Turkish tyranny; there is no plague in Wittenberg. Luther closes by sending greetings from his wife to the Spalatin family.
On George Spalatin, see LW 48, 8 f.
Text in Latin: WA, Br 7, 251.1
To the most distinguished Mr. George Spalatin, Master [of Arts],2 superintendent in Meissen,3 my dearest brother in the Lord
Grace and peace in the Lord! The pastor in Burkartshain by the name of Wolfgang Götzel4 is being expelled by his lord, [even though] he is now old, has an abundance of children, and has so far faithfully discharged his official duties. Help this man, my George, as much as you are able to. For it is cruel that Christ's poor are so afflicted by our people, and such arbitrary cruelty of the nobility will cause great harm to our gospel. Therefore I heartily commend him to you.
There is no news, except that Doctor Antony, that unfortunate Englishman,5 is here as envoy of his King6 to our Sovereign,7 and asks that Master8 Philip9 come to England for a colloquy with the King.10
[Also,] Hartmuth von Cronberg11 was here in search of his sister. For this most honorable woman was indeed here for some months, though we did not know it. A certain Jew had abducted her, a widow, and made her his wife. But while traveling he was killed by her relatives, and his wife, called by her relatives to return to them in peace, left town.12 From Silesia comes word that the cities of Greece are calling
Emperor Charles13 the liberator from the Turkish tyranny.14 The fortune of that man is unheard of; may Christ complete it. Amen. Of our plague15 I know nothing; thus all is a lie. Of many it is said that they have been buffed already for three days, but behold they are alive and most healthy. May God punish those miserable people who are masters in lying and seducing the people!
Farewell in the Lord, and pray for me!
September 6, 1535. My lord Katie reverently greets you together with your whole flesh.16
To Elector John Frederick [Wittenberg,] September 12, 1535 Luther and some of his colleagues urge the Elector to grant a private audience to Robert Barnes, the English envoy. They also mention Barnes's efforts regarding a possible trip of Melanchthon to England, and point out that it would cause sadness to Melanchthon if he were not permitted to go. A brief blessing closes the letter.
On Elector John Frederick, see LW 48, 181 f.
Text in German: WA, Br 7, 266–267.1
To the Most Serene, Noble Sovereign and Lord, Sir John Frederick, duke in Saxony and elector, archmarshal of the Holy Empire, etc., landgrave in Thuringia and margrave in Meissen, our Most