Page:The letters of Martin Luther.djvu/354

 314 LETTERS OF MARTIN LUTHER ,535 line Archbishop than 1 can take in, and does not run about the town, but sits quietly in his room. Besides, the whole town was ringing with Schanz's misfortune before Ludwig and I heard of it, and we could hardly credit that Hans Schanz should be hanged in such a shameful manner by his dearest lord. Neither Ludwig nor I invented this tale, and the Cardinal's name was held up to execration without our aid. As it is now thought that the accusa- tion is aimed at me, I now beg of you to leave my table and house guest unmolested, for I shall rather believe what honest people say of Schanz than listen to what your gracious or ungracious Highness (it is all one) should assert. For I do not sit here at your Grace's will that I should shut the mouths and punish the lies of those who speak well of Hans Schanz and evil of his Cardinal, and I trust your Grace will not hurry me off so swiftly to the gallows as you did Hans ! I shall always express my opinion freely, and repeat any gossip I may hear of your Grace to good friends, even as I am compelled to put up with your Grace's conduct towards me. For although I do not believe what is said of Hans Schanz and in favour of his Cardinal (although as yet I have heard nothing of the kind), still I shall be pardoned for such sins without any indulgences from your Grace. And should your Grace hang all those who not only in this but in other things speak despitefuUy of your Grace, there would not be rope enough in Germany to do it, not to speak of many who would not so easily permit themselves to be hanged, and thus some would needs remain unhanged by the doughty Cardinal ; and even the hanging of many would not suppress the outcry. And I believe (and no cardinal hangman shall forbid this, for thoughts are not taxable) that had Hans Schanz been tried outside Halle he would have remained unhanged, which is the general opinion. Perhaps they may still sing this song where your Grace has not the power to hang the people. I further believe that had Ludwig been seized in Halle, as you tried to seize him in Leipsic, he would have been hanged long ago, and then he would have had to be silent about Hans. Should your Electoral Grace wish to know