AAWO, AB, D. 6, f. 134v

Orantissimo et eloquentissimo viro, domino Ioannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of Ermland⌊Iohanni DantiscoIoannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of Ermland⌋ episcopo Culmensi et Sigismund I Jagiellon (Zygmunt I) (*1467 – †1548), King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (1506-1548); Duke of Głogów (Glogau) (1499-1506), Duke of Opava (1501-1506), Governor of Silesia (1504-1506); son of King Kazimierz IV Jagiellon and Elisabeth of Austria⌊regis PoloniaeSigismund I Jagiellon (Zygmunt I) (*1467 – †1548), King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (1506-1548); Duke of Głogów (Glogau) (1499-1506), Duke of Opava (1501-1506), Governor of Silesia (1504-1506); son of King Kazimierz IV Jagiellon and Elisabeth of Austria⌋ oratori, patrono suo summa observantia colendo[1]

AAWO, AB, D. 6, f. 133r

Praestantissimo et facundissimo viro Ioannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of Ermland⌊Iohanni DantiscoIoannes Dantiscus (Johannes von Höfen, Ioannes de Curiis, Jan Dantyszek, Johannes Flachsbinder) (*1485 – †1548), eminent diplomat and humanist in the service of the Jagiellons, neo-Latin poet; 1530-1537 Bishop of Kulm; 1537-1548 Bishop of Ermland⌋ antistiti Colmensi et Sigismund I Jagiellon (Zygmunt I) (*1467 – †1548), King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (1506-1548); Duke of Głogów (Glogau) (1499-1506), Duke of Opava (1501-1506), Governor of Silesia (1504-1506); son of King Kazimierz IV Jagiellon and Elisabeth of Austria⌊regni PoloniaeSigismund I Jagiellon (Zygmunt I) (*1467 – †1548), King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (1506-1548); Duke of Głogów (Glogau) (1499-1506), Duke of Opava (1501-1506), Governor of Silesia (1504-1506); son of King Kazimierz IV Jagiellon and Elisabeth of Austria⌋ oratori, patrono suo plurimum observando, Vitus Amerbachius salutem dicit plurimam.

Etsi iustam causam ad te litteras dandi, Reverende Praesul, existimabam hoc tempore me habere, tamen, nisi confiderem, eam esse tuam sapientiam et humanitatem, quae aliorum sermonibus mihi utcumque cognita est et in quadam epistola tua, quam ut viderem et legerem, casu quodam factum est, se ipsa expressit, plane a scribendo absterreret me et insignis tua doctrina et dignitas ac splendor prope singularis. Praeterquam enim quod condicio mea nequaqum tuae par est, natura mihi quendam peculiarem metum et reverentiam erga eos viros indidit, qui sunt magna doctrina expoliti et non modo praeclaris virtutibus ornati, sed verum etiam auctoritate et dignitate honoribusque supra ceteros eminent. Quae omnia in te esse non tantum non doleo, sed quod invidi esset et obscuri, sed ita(?) vehementer laetor et agnosco atque magni facio Dei dotes maximas et pulcherrimas. Quid enim aliud vult Homer aoidos, in the classical tradition the author of the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey"; the greatest ancient Greek epic poet⌊HomerusHomer aoidos, in the classical tradition the author of the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey"; the greatest ancient Greek epic poet⌋, quando scribit poetas ex Apollo one of the twelve great Olympian gods, son of Zeus and Leto, twin brother of Artemis⌊ApollineApollo one of the twelve great Olympian gods, son of Zeus and Leto, twin brother of Artemis⌋ et Muses Greek goddesses of literature and the arts⌊MusisMuses Greek goddesses of literature and the arts⌋ natos esse, reges ex Jupiter (Jove), king of the gods in ancient Roman mythology⌊IoveJupiter (Jove), king of the gods in ancient Roman mythology⌋, — sic autem inquit: Έκ γαρ μουσάων καί έκηβόλου Άπόλλωνος Άνδρες άοιδοί έασιν έπί χθονί καί κιθαριςταί, Έκ δέ Διος βασιλήες[2] — quam divina esse munera et scientiam liberalium artium et honorem ac dignitatem? Nonne hoc etiam sacrae litterae in multis locis praecipiunt, ut magistratus et praestantes AAWO, AB, D. 6, f. 133v reliquis eruditione et prudentia viros honore afficiamus? Quae cum in te esse mihi persuasum sit, non leviter peccarem, si te non summe revererer et plus quam temerarius et impudens, si tibi meas ineptas litteras obtruderem sine aliqua iusta aut probabili causa. Eam dum expono et hoc breviter ago quod volo, ut operae aliquantum mihi et temporis des, immo tuis ac tibi etiam fortasse, non tam oro, quam te pro tua mansuetudine scio libenter et tua sponte facturum esse. Hoc magis oro, ne tibi minus haec digna causa videatur, cur scripserim, quam mihi est visa. Sed nimium in excusando sum longus. Quin sic potius accipe. Venit his diebus ad me Johann Lehmann (Jan Leoman) (*1520 – †1582), Dantiscus' nephew (son of his sister Ursula and Zacharias Lehmann); studied in Wittenberg and in Rome; 1545 secretary of Ioannes Dantiscus as Ermland bishop; 1546 vicar in Heilsberg; 1550 chancellor of Ermland bishop Tiedemann Giese and then of his successor Stanisław Hozjusz; 1554 Ermland canon; 1561-1566 general administrator (oeconomus) on the bishop's estates in Ermland diocese; 1571 Ermland custos (KOPICZKO 2, p. 193)⌊Iohannes ... illegible⌈...... illegible⌉ LemannusJohann Lehmann (Jan Leoman) (*1520 – †1582), Dantiscus' nephew (son of his sister Ursula and Zacharias Lehmann); studied in Wittenberg and in Rome; 1545 secretary of Ioannes Dantiscus as Ermland bishop; 1546 vicar in Heilsberg; 1550 chancellor of Ermland bishop Tiedemann Giese and then of his successor Stanisław Hozjusz; 1554 Ermland canon; 1561-1566 general administrator (oeconomus) on the bishop's estates in Ermland diocese; 1571 Ermland custos (KOPICZKO 2, p. 193)⌋, Ursula von Höfen (Ursula Flachsbinder), Dantiscus’ sister, wife of Johann Reisen, mother of Justine, Ursule, and Augustin; then wife of Zacharias Lehmann, mother of Johann Lehmann⌊tuae sororisUrsula von Höfen (Ursula Flachsbinder), Dantiscus’ sister, wife of Johann Reisen, mother of Justine, Ursule, and Augustin; then wife of Zacharias Lehmann, mother of Johann Lehmann⌋ filius, qui per hoc semestre privatim usus est me praeceptore in discendis bonis litteris, et significavit mihi praeter alia pleraque, te suum esse avunculum ac rogavit sibi hoc operae officii praestare, ut vellem, ut de suis studiis et ingenio tibi aliquid scriberem. Commendationem putavimus apud te intempestivam et parum convenientem ess fore. Nam, ut poeta inquit, pecca[...] paper damaged⌈[...][...] paper damaged⌉t, qui cf. Mart. III 5.11-12 ⌊commendandum se putat esse suiscf. Mart. III 5.11-12 ⌋. Hoc statim facturum esse me recepi, gavisus quoque, oblatam esse mihi occasionem non modo compellandi per litteras tantum virum, sed multo magis testificandi mei studii erga discipulum ergaque te observantiam quoque, non solum amorem et studium. AAWO, AB, D. 6, f. 134r Quo circa, si quid praeceptoris de suo discipulo vox et velut testimonium ponderis apud avunculum eius habere debet, debere autem puto plurimum, sic existimes, Johann Lehmann (Jan Leoman) (*1520 – †1582), Dantiscus' nephew (son of his sister Ursula and Zacharias Lehmann); studied in Wittenberg and in Rome; 1545 secretary of Ioannes Dantiscus as Ermland bishop; 1546 vicar in Heilsberg; 1550 chancellor of Ermland bishop Tiedemann Giese and then of his successor Stanisław Hozjusz; 1554 Ermland canon; 1561-1566 general administrator (oeconomus) on the bishop's estates in Ermland diocese; 1571 Ermland custos (KOPICZKO 2, p. 193)⌊IohannemJohann Lehmann (Jan Leoman) (*1520 – †1582), Dantiscus' nephew (son of his sister Ursula and Zacharias Lehmann); studied in Wittenberg and in Rome; 1545 secretary of Ioannes Dantiscus as Ermland bishop; 1546 vicar in Heilsberg; 1550 chancellor of Ermland bishop Tiedemann Giese and then of his successor Stanisław Hozjusz; 1554 Ermland canon; 1561-1566 general administrator (oeconomus) on the bishop's estates in Ermland diocese; 1571 Ermland custos (KOPICZKO 2, p. 193)⌋ tuum, immo nostrum, prout in hoc tam brevi tempore et in aliis multis meis laboribus potuit cognosci a me, ita cognitum esse, ut putem nec ei modestiam in id et alias virtutes, quae debent esse in tali aetate, nec ingenium et industriam ac studium in percipiendis liberalibus disciplinis ... illegible⌈...... illegible⌉ deesse, tantumque nunc eum progressum esse, ut non aut parentes sumptuum, aut aut ipsum operae ac laboris paenitere possit. Ac, si quid tu etiam de tuo in eius studia confers, id tibi non perire prorsus arbitror. Faxit Jesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ), in Christianity the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament⌊ChristusJesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ), in Christianity the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament⌋, ut in hoc instituto cursu et decurso iam aliquo usque spatio permaneat. Nisi enim ille aspiraverit, a quo est πάσα δόσις άγαθή καί πάν δώρημα τέλιον[3], ut ait Saint James son of Zebedee, one of the Twelve Apostles⌊sanctus IacobusSaint James son of Zebedee, one of the Twelve Apostles⌋, non tantum irriti nostri conatus erunt, sed etiam perniciosi. Postremo rogo etiam te atque obsecro, ut in componendis dissidiis ecclesiasticis omnem tuam auctoritatem, dignitatem et vires omnes totamque mentem eo conferre velis, ut et corrigantur ea quae multa prava haud dubie in Ecclesias introducta sunt per neglegentiam et imperitiam eorum, qui praefuerunt, et tota res sine caedibus et bellis transigatur, aut, si ita mavis, ut Jesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ), in Christianity the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament⌊ChristiJesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ), in Christianity the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament⌋ gloria defendatur et magis ac magis patefiat hominibus ac augeatur. Deinde ne res publica affligatur ... illegible⌈...... illegible⌉ vi et armis. Quae facere verum est et praecipuum episcoporum officium purissimaque et gratissima omnium Deo victima, AAWO, AB, D. 6, f. 134v ut sic dicam, nec ulla re alia coli melius et aut uberius Deus potest. Nos, si nihil aliud poterimus, nostris precibus hanc totam causam, quae gravissima et hidden by binding⌈[t]t hidden by binding⌉ periculosissima est, adiuvabimus diligenter et ex animo. Porro in instituendo Johann Lehmann (Jan Leoman) (*1520 – †1582), Dantiscus' nephew (son of his sister Ursula and Zacharias Lehmann); studied in Wittenberg and in Rome; 1545 secretary of Ioannes Dantiscus as Ermland bishop; 1546 vicar in Heilsberg; 1550 chancellor of Ermland bishop Tiedemann Giese and then of his successor Stanisław Hozjusz; 1554 Ermland canon; 1561-1566 general administrator (oeconomus) on the bishop's estates in Ermland diocese; 1571 Ermland custos (KOPICZKO 2, p. 193)⌊IohanneJohann Lehmann (Jan Leoman) (*1520 – †1582), Dantiscus' nephew (son of his sister Ursula and Zacharias Lehmann); studied in Wittenberg and in Rome; 1545 secretary of Ioannes Dantiscus as Ermland bishop; 1546 vicar in Heilsberg; 1550 chancellor of Ermland bishop Tiedemann Giese and then of his successor Stanisław Hozjusz; 1554 Ermland canon; 1561-1566 general administrator (oeconomus) on the bishop's estates in Ermland diocese; 1571 Ermland custos (KOPICZKO 2, p. 193)⌋ posthac etiam eam na hidden by binding⌈[a]a hidden by binding⌉vabo operam, quam potes aut debes de homine probo hidden by binding⌈[o]o hidden by binding⌉ et fideli tuique amantissimo exspectare, atque, si aliis et aliis in rebus facere tuo nomine possem, quod hidden by binding⌈[d]d hidden by binding⌉ gratum esset, facerem, quanto velles tu et ego possem studio. Vale, decus regni vestri, Clarissime Antistes, et da veniam meae tum prolixitati aut potius loquacitati potius, tum, si quid offensum est hidden by binding⌈[t]t hidden by binding⌉, etiam imprudentiae. Iterum vale, ac me tibi commendatum habe, tuque Jesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ), in Christianity the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament⌊ChristoJesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ), in Christianity the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament⌋ sis quam commendatissimus, ut rectissime et copiosissime de re publica ecclesiastica diutissimeque merearis.

Datum Wittenberg (Vittemberga), city in east-central Germany, Saxony, on the Elbe river, 70 km NE of Leipzig⌊VitebergaeWittenberg (Vittemberga), city in east-central Germany, Saxony, on the Elbe river, 70 km NE of Leipzig⌋, Nonis Octobris.

[2] Hymn. Hom. In Musas et Apollinem 2-4.

[3] Cf. Iac 1.17 (in Latin omne datum optimum et omne donum perfectum).