Letter #1796
[Ioannes DANTISCUS] to [Jan CHOJEŃSKI]Löbau (Lubawa), 1537-11-21
English register: Dantiscus is replying to Chojeński’s letter. He is pleased with the good news Chojeński sent him (about the victory of the Polish unit in a skirmish with the Wallachians), as he had feared that the conflict between the king and the gentry would embolden the enemy. He agrees with Chojeński that it would be best to set aside internal disputes and finally defeat “the Wallachian” (i.e. Moldavian hospodar Petru Raresh) before the end of this winter. Dantiscus points to the disastrous effects of discord in the country in the past and at present, giving as an example – known to him from Chojeński’s letter – the recent defeat of the Roman king (Ferdinand I Habsburg) in the war with the Turks. He concludes that for lack of mutual love, people are giving power over the world to the devil. He interprets the conduct of the kings of England and France as a visible effect of this: Henry VIII has introduced a new marital law making the duration of a marriage dependent on the gender of the progeny, and he is increasingly cruel towards his own subjects; Francis I, in his greed for power, gold and blood, is building alliances with the infidels against Christians. These events, Dantiscus thinks, portend the approaching fulfillment of the Biblical prophecies of the end of the world. Dantiscus is pleased that Chojeński’s planned diplomatic mission has been postponed, because Chojeński’s presence in Cracow will greatly facilitate the dispatching of Dantiscus’ and Giese’s documents to Rome. Chojeński will receive detailed information regarding this from Dantiscus’ brother Bernard (von Höfen), who will have arrived in Cracow before Chojeński receives the present letter. Dantiscus informs Chojeński that since he has already received the breve allowing him to take over in the Warmia diocese before obtaining the provision bulla, he intends to accept the Warmia Chapter’s invitation and plans to be in Lidzbark on December 6.
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Text & apparatus & commentaryPlain textText & commentaryText & apparatus
BCz, 244, p. 306
Reverendissime in Christo Pater et Domine, domine mi colendissime.
Salutem et obsequiorum
ms 2 3 4 meorum,
ms 1 me[orum] paper damaged⌈meorumms 2 3 4 meorum,
ms 1 me[orum] paper damaged⌉ plurimam commendationem.
Quantum me Dominatio Vestra Reverendissima cf.
ms 1 ne[dum] paper damaged⌈nedumms 2 3 4 nedum,
ms 1 ne[dum] paper damaged⌉ solicitudine, quam intra me tacitus de rebus nostris in oris
ms 1 f[or]midine paper damaged⌈formidinems 2 3 4 formidine,
ms 1 f[or]midine paper damaged⌉ tremoreque correpti erant, discordia agitatos subito abire ac coepta relinquere. Atqui Deus Omnipotens, cui laus, honor, omnis gratiarum actio, longe felicius, quam ego futurum verebar, res
ms 1 pepereri[t] paper damaged⌈pepereritms 2 3 4 pepererit,
ms 1 pepereri[t] paper damaged⌉ (sic stant pacta matrimonii), vera est coniunx; si feminam, solutum est coniugium: tamquam <tam> diu stupris uti liberum erit, quousque ex aliqua nascatur filius. Pulchrum, si diis
placet, ius superinscribed⌈iusius superinscribed⌉ matrimonii, omni exsecratione iraque ac castigatione Dei dignum, quam non ob id solum, sed ob innumeras caedes novasque crudelitates, quibus in ms 2 3 4 suos,
ms 1 su[os] paper damaged⌈suosms 2 3 4 suos,
ms 1 su[os] paper damaged⌉ in dies fit truculentior, iure ms 2 3 4 optimo,
ms 1 optime⌈optimoms 2 3 4 optimo,
ms 1 optime⌉ meruit atque iusto Dei iudicio ms 2 3 4 experietur,
ms 2 ex[pe]rietur paper damaged⌈experieturms 2 3 4 experietur,
ms 2 ex[pe]rietur paper damaged⌉ brevi.
ms 2 3 4 Christianissimus⌈inChristianissimusms 1 inChristianissimus,
ms 2 3 4 Christianissimus⌉ impiissimusque factus 
BCz, 244, p. 305
nisi immodica ambitione imperandique
cf. Verg. A. 3.57 auri sacra fames; Hor. Epist. 1.18.23 argenti sitis importuna famesque; Ov. Met. 1.131 amor sceleratus habendi ⌊cupidine sitique auricf. Verg. A. 3.57 auri sacra fames; Hor. Epist. 1.18.23 argenti sitis importuna famesque; Ov. Met. 1.131 amor sceleratus habendi ⌋
et Christiani sanguinis insatiabili illectus at protractus a principe mundi huius undique clandestinis simultatibus, factionibus, inimiciciis, bellisque perniciosissimis occupati adeo, ut evangelium
hoc Mathei XXIIII “
cf. Vulg. Mt 24.15 cum ergo videritis abominationem desolationis ⌊Cum videritis abhominacionem desolationiscf. Vulg. Mt 24.15 cum ergo videritis abominationem desolationis ⌋
etc.” aptissime huic nostro saeculo conveniat.
cf. Vulg. Mt 24.20 orate autem ut non fiat fuga vestra hieme vel sabbato ⌊Orandus est Deus sancte et pie vivendo, ne fugam hanc hieme aut sabbatocf. Vulg. Mt 24.20 orate autem ut non fiat fuga vestra hieme vel sabbato ⌋ quam minatur, sed suam nobis det in diebus nostris gratiam et pacem, amen.
Gratum mihi fuit plurimum, quod profectio Dominationis Vestrae Reverendissimae ad serenissimum