society. I
put it off under compulsion in Italy, to escape being killed; and
likewise under compulsion in England, because it was not tolerated
there, although myself I should much prefer to have worn it. To adopt it
again now would cause more scandal than did the change itself.

There you have an account of my whole life, there you have my plans. I
should like to change even this present mode of life, if I see a better.
But I do not see what I am to do in Holland. I know that the climate and
way of living will not agree with me; I shall have everyone looking at
me. I shall return a white-haired old man, having gone away as a
youth--I shall return a valetudinarian; I shall be exposed to the
contempt of the lowest, used as I am to the respect of the highest. I
shall exchange my studies for drinking-parties. As to your promising me
your help in finding me a place where I can live with an excellent
income, as you write, I cannot conjecture what this can be, unless
perhaps you intend to place me among some community of nuns, to serve
women--I who have never been willing to serve kings nor archbishops. I
want no pay; I have no desire for riches, if only I have money enough to
provide for my health and my literary leisure, to enable me to live
without burdening anyone. I wish we could discuss these things together
face to face; it cannot be done in a letter conveniently or safely. Your
letter, although it was sent by most reliable persons, went so far
astray that if I had not accidentally come to this castle I should never
have seen it; and many people had looked at it before I received it. So
do not mention anything secret unless you know for certain where I am
and have a very trustworthy messenger. I am now on my way to Germany,
that is, Basle, to have my works published, and this winter I shall
perhaps be in Rome. On my return journey I shall see to it that we meet
and talk somewhere. But now the summer is nearly over and it is a long
journey. Farewell, once my sweetest comrade, now my esteemed father.

XI. TO WOLFGANG FABRICIUS CAPITO[58]

Antwerp, 26 February 1516/17

To the distinguished theologian Wolfgang Fabricius Capito of Hagenau,
skilled in the three languages, greetings:

... Now that I see that the mightiest princes of the earth, King Francis
of France, Charles the Catholic King, King Henry of England and the
Emperor Maximilian have drastically cut down all warlike preparations
and concluded a firm and, I