130

durer’s literary remains.

[chap.

march of events from his home in England. When the decisive
step had been taken he wrote to Diirer (see above p. 28),
“Now that you are all evangelical in Niirnberg I must write to you.
God grant you grace to persevere. The adversaries are strong but God
is stronger, and is wont to help the sick who call upon him and acknow-
ledge him.”
Cornelius Grapheus too, a good Antwerp friend, sent a letter
of enquiry to his old dinner companion. It is addressed
“To Master Albrecht Diirer, unrivalled chief in the art of painting,
my friend and most beloved brother in Christ, at Niirnberg; or in his
absence to Wilibald Pirkheimer.
I wrote a good long letter to you, some time ago, in the name of
our common friend Thomas Bombelli, but we have received no answer
from you. We are therefore the more anxious to hear even three words
from you, that we may know how you are and what is going on in your
parts, for there is no doubt that great events are happening. Thomas
Bombelli sends you his heartiest greeting. I beg you, as I did in my
last letter, to greet Wilibald Pirkheimer a score of times for me. Of my
own condition I will tell you nothing. The bearers of this letter will
be able to acquaint you with everything. They are very good men and
most sincere Christians. I commend them to you and my friend Pirk-
heimer as if they were myself; for they, themselves the best of men,
merit the highest recommendation to the best of men. Farewell,
dearest Albrecht. Amongst us there is a great and daily increasing
persecution on account of the Gospel. Our brethren, the bearers, will
tell you all about it more openly. Again farewell.
Wholly yours,
Cornelius Grapheus.
Antwerp, 23 February, 1524.”
Diirer doubtless returned answers to both these letters, but
only that to Niklas Kratzer has been preserved1. It is addressed
“To the honourable and venerable Herr Niklas Kratzer, servant
to his Royal Majesty in England, my gracious Master and Friend.
Nurnberg, Monday (5 Dec.) after Barbara’s, 1524.
First my most willing service to you, dear Herr Niklas. I have
received and read your letter with pleasure, and am glad to hear that
things are going well with you. I have spoken for you to Herr
Wilibald Pirkheimer about the instrument you wanted to have. He is
having one made for you and is going to send it to you with a letter.

1 It is accurately printed in the Repertorium, Band XI. p. 342.