Letter #4
Ioannes DANTISCUS to Bona SforzaHeilsberg (Lidzbark), 1540-12-22
English register:
Upon reading a letter from the queen, Dantiscus was pleased to learn that she had received well the letter of condolence from him and the castellan of Gdańsk (Danzig) [Achatius von Zehmen (Cema)] [on the death of John Zápolya]. However, his joy faded upon reading the remainder of the letter, which suggested that, as someone once again admitted to her favour, he ought to be more diligent in his service.
He was saddened to hear such an opinion of him, but he is convinced that his loyalty to the kings [Sigismund I Jagiellon and Sigismund II Augustus] and to the queen, as on previous occasions, will be proven, so long as he is allowed to appear before the royal court and face his slanderers. He suspects that the accusations against him originate from the same source as before.
He asks that the identity of those who are slandering him be revealed, so that he may openly prove his innocence.
He cautiously reminds the addressee of the promise she made not long ago, after his return from Wrocław (Breslau), that she would no longer give credence to accusations against him unless they were first proven. To take her up on her promise, he requests a confrontation with his slanderers. If they lack the means, he is willing to cover the costs of the proceedings, provided only that their names be revealed and he may clear his name in the queen’s eyes.
He will carry out as usual the queen’s orders regarding the matter of the son of the voivode of Pomerania [Rafał Konopacki], which has been lawfully completed by the council [of Royal Prussia] under his chairmanship, just like he will do his duty in other matters that fall within his remit [as a member of the Royal Prussia council], in accordance with the oath he has sworn to administer justice, and also out of respect for, and for the benefit of, the kings and the queen.
He could hardly be any more loyal or diligent in his services, even if such requests are repeatedly reminded. He gladly and willingly serves the kings and the queen, by whom he has received so many benefits. Only a slanderer can claim otherwise, whether in writing or speech.
He requests that his defense against his adversaries be accepted and that he continues to be shown the graciousness he once earned.
Manuscript sources:
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Text & apparatus & commentary Plain text Text & commentary Text & apparatus
BJ 6557, f. 391r
Serenissima Reginalis Maiestas et Domina, domina mea clementissima.
Humillimam orationum et servitiorum meorum commendationem.
Quod Serenissima Maiestas Vestra cf. 
BJ 6557, f. 391vpergerem, subito evanuit, eo quod non secus Serenissima Maiestas Vestra me hortari dignatur atque eum, qui post commissum aliquod contra fidem facinus ms. facimus(!)
⌈facinusfacinus ms. facimus(!)
⌉ receptus in gratiam promptior et fidelior, quam prius fuerit, reddi debeat.
Quae de me concepta opinio non parum me contristavit, nihilo tamen secius mens recti conscia candorque et integritas mea erga serenissimas
Quid non hominum improborum malitia et tam versuta nocendi cupiditas audet? Quae toties licet a se ipsa victa sit, spem tamen victoriae odio occaecata sibi promittit. Proinde impensissime oro, Serenissima Maiestas Vestra, ut quomodo res habeat, certo pronuntiare valeat, occultos illos meos insidiatores et me in campum apertum committat. Equidem etiam si cataphracti omnigenis dolis et sycophantiis
Hoc porro pacto Serenissima Maiestas Vestra hac molestia toties me cohortandi carebit, tunc siquidem quibuscum (si Diis placet) et quibus in rebus conspiraverim, nulli clam erit. Indulgeat, quaeso, Serenissima Maiestas Vestra iis meis ex re non vana 
BJ 6557, f. 392rnatis affectionibus, quas maxime auget, quod eos ex nomine mihi scire non datur, qui tam sint insignite improbi hostesque meae bene ubique conservatae et fidei, et existimationis, tam meticulosi, ut a me nosci vereantur, quibus nihilominus impune amarulento animo commenta confingere permittitur et forte creditur.
Non ausim Serenissimam Maiestatem Vestram de promisso interpellare, quae superiori tempore et proxime, postquam ex
Ea, quae Serenissima Maiestas Vestra in negotio generosi domini
Neque putet Serenissima Maiestas Vestra, quod diligentior aut fidelior, quam fuerim hactenus, futurus sum umquam, etiam si in dies subinde eiusmodi commemorationes inculcentur. Quandoquidem conatus mei ulterius quam extensi sunt, extendi nequeunt, feci enim et facio semper, et certe meopte studio, ad quae iurisiurando devictum astrictumque me esse sentio. Ad haec item et vi quadam naturali naturaeque instinctu ac amore erga clementissimos 
BJ 6557, f. 392vest, iam toties pariter usque ad ultimum meum halitum ab eiusmodi fraudulentis impostoribus innocentiam et fidelissimum sincerumque erga Serenissimas
Hanc meam contra subdolos meos adversarios defensionem, quam non iniustus dolor extorsit, ut Serenissima Maiestas Vestra benigne admittat meque sua, quam aliquando merui, gratia prosequatur, intime supplico meque illi suppliciter commendo a Domino Deo orans, ut eandem Serenissimam Maiestatem Vestram in diuturna prosperrimaque mentis et corporis salute quam diutissime concedat vivere incolumem.