if an imperial mandate had been promulgated. And although during the protracted negotiations we experienced horrible and almost incredible attacks, cares and dangers, yet now we begin to breathe again and to comfort ourselves for our suffer- ings with the saying: et haec meminisse juvabit.^
454. ALEANDER TO VICE-CHANCELLOR CARDINAL DE'
MEDICI AT ROME.
Kalkoff: Aleander, 178. Worms (April 19), 1521.
Greeting. When I returned from the lodging of Carac- ciolo, where we had composed the other letter" together, to my own residence, the Official of Trier communicated to me the oral message from his master that within the hour all six electors* had answered the Emperor that they would treat Martin as a heretic, and that they would hold fast to the Catholic faith and the holy councils and decrees which they had always observed, and would altogether walk in the way of their forefathers. Now, when in virtue of the safe-con- duct Martin had returned home, his Majesty would promul- gate an edict to crush him, and that they would follow him and do his Majesty's will, and in all things conduct them- selves as Christian princes should. That is noble news, espe- cially that the Elector of Saxony, who has hitherto favored him, agreed with them. So in agreement with the Emperor they decided to give out an edict that he should return home under safe-conduct and that then they would publish the man- date ordering his seizure and the execution of the bull. If he flees to Bohemia, God will look to it. . . .
455. JEROME DE' MEDICI TO FRANCIS GONZAGA. MARQUIS
OF MANTUA.
Kalkoff : Brief e, 47. Worms, April 19, 1521.
I have no further news except about Luther, who day before
^Virgil: Aeneid, i. 203.
^Supra, no. 453.
- At a matter of fact, this deciaion was reached, on the afternoon of April 19,
only by the four Elector* of Brandenburg, Mayence, Cologne and Trier; the Electors of Saxony and the Palatinate dissenting. (It may here be mentioned that the seventh Elector, the King of Bohemia, took no part in German affairs, except in the election of the Emperor.) This letter was probably never sent by Aleander, who corrected and supplemented it in his despatch of April 29, infra, no. 468.
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