Page:Luther's correspondence and other contemporary letters 1507-1521.djvu/540

Let. 459 zeal to you have said to me: "May he not faint; may he answer faithfully; may he not let himself be moved by any terror." I always replied that you would be Luther, nor have I been disappointed, for I know that your answer leaves us nothing to desire. But persevere unto the end. May Christ grant that the wicked may find you what you are to their own great grief! The prudence of my friends, who feared that I would dare too much, has hitherto forced me to keep quiet, otherwise at those walls I would have gotten up some demonstration against that rabble. But I will do it a little later, and whatever happens to me you will see that I, too, am not lacking in that spirit which God has aroused in me. I burn to see you; my love is ardent. Let us know all that you do and farewell.

We have Francis von Sickingen hereabouts, very zealous. I write the rest to Spalatin. Farewell again. Would that you could see Sickingen before you leave. He greatly desires it. I know that they will soon send you away, for a certain imperialist writes me this. Christ preserve you.

… Were it in my power, I should be quite willing to help Martin in as far as he is right. Believe me, they are pressing him hard, even some people of whom you would be astonished to know this. I think they will drive him out. If anyone lets it be known that he wishes well to Dr. Luther, he is considered a heretic. God turn it to the best, for he will doubtless not abandon the right cause. I will inform you later about Luther's departure. …

Sanuto, xxx. 131. Italian. Kalkoff: Briefe, 57. (German.) Brown, iii. 197. (English.)…

Gaspar Contarini (1483-1542), of a noble Venetian family, studied at Padua, and then entered the service of his native state, being her