Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/149

 144 LUTHER'S CORRESPONDENCE AND Let in

not be anxious lest any uproar or unpleasantness might arise from the propositions, but when and if it should arise we can tlien deal with it. . ..

no. DUKE GEORGE OF SAXONY TO JOHN ECK. De Wette-Seidcmann, vi. 658. Gess, i. 53. December 31, 151^

Dear and trusty Sir! We have received your request t hold your debate with Dr. Carlstadt at Leipsic, and ha^ graciously noted the same, being pleased that you have chose our university. We trust to you that this debate may not b dangerous, but only for the sake of elucidating the truth We have therefore given order to our university to grant you request. . ..

III. PHILIP MELANCHTHON TO LUTHER.

This poem, in iambic trimeter, was the dedication of Melanchthon* Elegantissima quaedam opuscula, Haganau, January, 1519, and, lik* most dedications, was probably written shortly before the work wen to press. As printed the text is so corrupt — some of the words bein| impossible and some of the lines not scanning — as to have puzzlec not only myself, but such distinguished Greek scholars as Prof. Hani de Forrest Smith, of Amherst, U. S. A., and Prof. Gilbert Murray of Oxford, England. With the obliging help of these gentlemen, '. have radically restored and construed the text according to its apparen meaning. I think the poem is worth giving as testimony to th( reverence, almost idolatry, in which Luther was thus early held by hi: followers.

Holy Nazarite of Israel, offerer of peace-making sacrifices, elect servant of uncorrupted truth, protector of souls, ruler oj pious desires, divinely inspired messenger of wisdom and o\ motherless justice, happy priest of the divine word and of th< life-giving spirit, spreading abroad the sweet smelling balsan of the anointed Church,' faithful and sleepless shepherd oi the temple of all-merciful God, driving out the Arabian wolj and the sophist Belial, thou champion of truth, smite with th< wonder-working staflF of Moses the doting brains of the enemie of the Word, even the superstitious magicians; cauterize thf

V. e., as priest offering the sacrifice of the mass.
 * Or, "of the eucharist of the Church."

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