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 kindly gave me two hundred gulden in gold and twenty ells of damask for a coat. This I receive with pleasure, especially as I am needy at this time. For his Imperial Majesty of ex- cellent memory, who departed this life prematurely, had given me a pension of one hundred gulden^ which my masters will not pay me now. So I must want in my old days and lose the reward of my work done for his Imperial Majesty. For my eyesight and freedom of hand is going, and I cannot work much longer. This I cannot conceal from you, my trusted and kind friend.

If my gracious lord wishes to have something handsome made out of the stag's antlers I can make a pair of candle- sticks out of them. . . . Recommend me to my gracious lord, the elector. Your devoted,

Albert Durer.

��LUTHER TO ALBERT, ARCHBISHOP AND ELECTOR

OF MAYENCE.

Enders, ii 307. Wittenberg, February 4, 1520.

I commend myself in the Lord with all subjection and rev- erence. Most reverend Father in Christ and most illustrious Prince, I, a man of the lowest condition, would never dare to address your Grandeur, even in a letter, to which more is allowed than modesty permits saying orally, were I not com- pelled to do so for a great cause, namely, the profession of Christian faith and truth, and our common care for the sal- vation of all in Christ. If I brought danger on these I would be most impious to keep still. Moreover I have been credibly informed that men who perchance praise and defend me elsewhere, in your presence, most reverend Father in Christ, excite hatred and envy against me. . ..

If the things with which I am accused are right and true, will the grace of my Lord allow me to utter a complaint? Why do they not teach me better? Why do they not show me my error? Why do they condemn me in the presence of

been granted before, and this was raised to two hundred at the Diet of Augs- borfy IS^^ l**rt the increase was not received by Durer owing to Maximilian's death in January, isi9*
 * A prcf io iM letter speaks of two hnndred fulden. Probably the hundred fulden had

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