constellation of the stars is so negative31 for them that even I am compelled to wonder,32 and in reality there is no limit to the praise and commendation of the honorable way in which Your Electoral Grace has treated the ambassadors until now,33 etc.
Of course, so far as I am concerned, I certainly do not begrudge Master Philip the opportunity to be spared this matter, since it looks as if I have to empty34 this bathtub by myself. Regardless of whether I am alone [in doing this], or whether everyone else is with me, yet (I think) a large portion [of the work] certainly will rest on me. But I would not like to have Master Philip's reputation left unconsidered in this matter.
Second, I thank Your Electoral Grace with my whole heart that Your Electoral Grace so faithfully exhorts me to deal carefully with the matter,35 etc. But since the ambassadors base themselves on Your
Electoral Grace's letter regarding our own previously made offer,36 I have to see and hear what they produce. For (to speak confidentially and in secret) Your Electoral Grace will certainly find out that I shall not let myself be talked into37 publicly condemning the Queen and the young Queen,38 together with the whole kingdom, as being incestuous, as they brag that the Pope and eleven universities have already done.39 I will not get mixed up with their incest business,40 even if I could do nothing more in this matter than say "gawk" like a goose. But I maintain that my former judgment is to stand; besides this I shall not be unfriendly toward the ambassadors regarding one or the other issue,41 so that they do not think that we
Germans are made of stone and wood, etc. I will not discuss my opinions casually,42 just as the English, too, are not committing themselves,43 etc. Otherwise all the stable hands44 would first have to justify this matter all over town.
May Your Electoral Grace graciously receive this letter as my humble answer. With this be commended to God—and also my humble thanks to Your Electoral Grace for the presented venison, etc.
Your Electoral Grace's dedicated MARTIN LUTHER, DOCTOR [Wittenberg,] January 17, 1536 Luther asks Hausmann not to pay any attention to the protests made by Master Peter regarding the marriage of the Master's widowed daughter. Then Luther informs Hausmann that at the moment he knows of no vacant parish for the pastor at Wörlitz, that in Wittenberg there is nothing new except what
Hausmann has heard from Francis Burchart, and that the English legation in Wittenberg is awaiting the arrival of Melanchthon. Luther closes by extending his wife's greetings, and by assuring Hausmann that he would write shortly about Spiegel and the personal matter about which Hausmann had asked him.
On Nicholas Hausmann, see LW 48, 399 f.
Text in Latin: WA, Br 7, 347.1
To the excellent and venerable Mr. Nicholas Hausmann, Master [of Arts],2 a minister of the gospel in Dessau, my elder3 in the Lord
Grace and peace in Christ! I ask you, my Hausmann, to let the marriage of the daughter of Master Peter take its course.4 For Master Peter has no authority over her, since she, as a widow, has been taken out of her father's jurisdiction and been independent for a long time. Master Peter has even been deprived of his house and all possessions by means of a public judgment. She marries at her own risk. It is enough that Master Peter has had such a sad experience with the former son-in-law; now he should not concern himself with this [new son-in-law], but take care of his own affairs.
At this point I know of no vacancy for the pastor at Wörlitz ([I say this] not to make empty promises).5
Should I be in a position to help him, however, I shall be delighted to do so if there is a vacancy somewhere.
I have no news except what you no doubt have heard there from Master6 Francis.7 The English legation here is still awaiting Masters Philip9 so that they may unfold10 the matter of the King of England.11
Yet I, who am afflicted with many things, continuously grow less able to handle one single thing. My