To Wenzel letter 15 - Martin Luther

TO WENZEL

Luther asks for German songs. Jocular letter. March 20, 1536.

Grace and peace in Christ, dear Wenzel! As it is some hundreds of years since I either spoke or wrote Latin, I almost fear I have forgotten what I knew, and probably you are in the same condition; so I hope such fears will justify any mistakes I make, without any good or evil works, for you are a gracious lord towards such offenders, even as you desire similar sins to be leniently treated by your friends. I had nothing to write about, but did not wish Frau Detzelin with her daughter to leave without letters. I should have liked to send some mountains of gold, but in late years our Elbe has overflowed and taken all the gold sand with it, leaving only gravel and sand behind, some of which has got a lodgment in Justus Jonas’s body. I must always joke whether sick or well, weak or strong, a sinner and yet

justified, well-nigh dead and yet alive in Christ. As you are seated amid gold and silver streams, send me not poetical dreams but songs, which will give me great pleasure. You understand. I wish to talk German, my gracious Herr Wenzel, if it be not too difficult or too tiresome, too high flown or too deep. I beg of you to ask a boy to collect all German pictures, rhymes, songs, books, etc., which have been painted, composed, and printed by your German poets and printers this year, for I have a reason for

asking this. We can make Latin books here ourselves, but we are busy learning to write German books, which we hope to make so good that everyone shall be pleased with them. Farewell in Christ. Pray for me. The Lord be with you and yours.

Greet all our people. MARTIN LUTHER .