DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.48092#0106
86
durer’s literary remains.
[chap.
with the merry Augsburg folk that they must needs write an
account of it to their common friend Charitas, sister of Pirk-
heimer and Abbess of the convent of S. Clara at Ntirnberg.
The blithe and learned dame replied in the following charac-
teristic letter, addressed to
“The prudent and wise Masters Caspar Ntitzel, Lazarus Spengler,
and Albrecht Diirer, for the time being at Augsburg, our gracious
Masters and good friends.
Jesus.
“ As a friendly greeting, prudent, wise, gracious Masters and espe-
cially good friends, cousins, and wellwishers, I desire every good thing
for you, from the Highest Good. I received with great pleasure your
friendly letter and its news of a kind suited to my order, or rather my
trade; and I read it with such great devotion that more than once tears
ran down my eyes over it—truly rather tears of laughter than of sorrow.
I consider it a subject for great thankfulness that, with such important
business and so much gaiety on hand, your Wisdoms do not forget me,
but find time to instruct me, poor little nun, about the monastic life
whereof you now have a clear reflection before your eyes. I conclude
from this that doubtless some good spirit drove you, my gracious and
dear Masters, to Augsburg, so that you might learn from the example of
the free Swabian spirits how to instruct and govern the poor imprisoned
sand-hares1.
“For since our trusty Master Warden (Caspar Niitzel), as a lover of
the Church, likes to help in a thorough reformation, he should first be-
hold a pattern of holy observance in the Swabian League. Let Master
Lazarus Spengler, too, inform himself well about the apostolic mode of
common-life, so that at the annual audit he may be able to give us and
others counsel and guidance, how we may run through everything, that
nought remain over. And Master Albrecht Diirer, also, who is such a
genius and master at drawing, he may very carefully inspect the stately
buildings, and then if some day we want to alter our choir he will know
how to give us advice and help in making ample slide-windows (? blinds)
so that our eyes may not be quite blinded.
“ I shall not further trouble you, however, to bring us music to learn
to sing by notes, for our beer is now so very sour that I fear the dregs
might stick fast among the four reeds or voices, and produce such strange
sounds that the dogs would fly out of the church. But I must humbly
pray you not quite to wear out your eyes over the black and white mag-
pies, so as no longer to know the little grey wolves at Ntirnberg. I have
heard much of the sharp-witted Swabians all my life, but it would be
well if we learnt more from them, now that they are so wisely labouring
with his Imperial Majesty to save the Apostolic life from being done
1 The soil about Ntirnberg is sanely.
durer’s literary remains.
[chap.
with the merry Augsburg folk that they must needs write an
account of it to their common friend Charitas, sister of Pirk-
heimer and Abbess of the convent of S. Clara at Ntirnberg.
The blithe and learned dame replied in the following charac-
teristic letter, addressed to
“The prudent and wise Masters Caspar Ntitzel, Lazarus Spengler,
and Albrecht Diirer, for the time being at Augsburg, our gracious
Masters and good friends.
Jesus.
“ As a friendly greeting, prudent, wise, gracious Masters and espe-
cially good friends, cousins, and wellwishers, I desire every good thing
for you, from the Highest Good. I received with great pleasure your
friendly letter and its news of a kind suited to my order, or rather my
trade; and I read it with such great devotion that more than once tears
ran down my eyes over it—truly rather tears of laughter than of sorrow.
I consider it a subject for great thankfulness that, with such important
business and so much gaiety on hand, your Wisdoms do not forget me,
but find time to instruct me, poor little nun, about the monastic life
whereof you now have a clear reflection before your eyes. I conclude
from this that doubtless some good spirit drove you, my gracious and
dear Masters, to Augsburg, so that you might learn from the example of
the free Swabian spirits how to instruct and govern the poor imprisoned
sand-hares1.
“For since our trusty Master Warden (Caspar Niitzel), as a lover of
the Church, likes to help in a thorough reformation, he should first be-
hold a pattern of holy observance in the Swabian League. Let Master
Lazarus Spengler, too, inform himself well about the apostolic mode of
common-life, so that at the annual audit he may be able to give us and
others counsel and guidance, how we may run through everything, that
nought remain over. And Master Albrecht Diirer, also, who is such a
genius and master at drawing, he may very carefully inspect the stately
buildings, and then if some day we want to alter our choir he will know
how to give us advice and help in making ample slide-windows (? blinds)
so that our eyes may not be quite blinded.
“ I shall not further trouble you, however, to bring us music to learn
to sing by notes, for our beer is now so very sour that I fear the dregs
might stick fast among the four reeds or voices, and produce such strange
sounds that the dogs would fly out of the church. But I must humbly
pray you not quite to wear out your eyes over the black and white mag-
pies, so as no longer to know the little grey wolves at Ntirnberg. I have
heard much of the sharp-witted Swabians all my life, but it would be
well if we learnt more from them, now that they are so wisely labouring
with his Imperial Majesty to save the Apostolic life from being done
1 The soil about Ntirnberg is sanely.