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Polski (PL) 
Copernicus to Bishop John Dantiscus, Frombork, 8 June 1536
Original: Czartoryski Library, Kraków, manuscript 2713, pp. 1-2.
Nicholas Copernicus (Nicolaus Copernicus) confirms to John Dantiscus, Bishop of Chełmno, the reception of a letter in which the Bishop, citing the intimacy between them from the times of their youth, was inviting him for the wedding of his relative, as his close friend. Copernicus feels obliged to accept this invitation, however, because of the activities which the Bishop of Warmia, Maurice Ferber, entrusted to him, he is not able to leave Frombork, Therefore, he asks for a vindication of his absence and for keeping of the previous opinion about his person.
Further reading
- Biskup Marian, Regesta Copernicana, Warszawa 1973.
- Kopernik Mikołaj, Pisma pomniejsze, Warszawa 2007.
Frombork, 8 June 1536
To his lordship, Most Reverend Father in Christ, Johannes [Dantiscus], bishop of Chełmno, his most gracious lordship
Your lordship, Most Reverend Father in Christ, your most gracious lordship:
I have received your Most Reverend Lordship's letter, which is full of kindness and love. In it you remind me of the friendship and pleasant relationship which I formed with your Most Reverend Lordship when I was still young, and which I perceive still continues in a flourishing state on your part. And so, numbering me among your friends, you have seen fit to invite me to the wedding of your kinswoman.
Surely, Most Reverend Lordship, I should have heeded your Most Reverend Lordship and presented myself at some time to so eminent a superior and benefactor of myself. At present, however, being occupied in a task imposed on me by his Most Reverend Lordship, [the bishop] of Varmia, I cannot leave. Therefore deign to excuse my personal absence and preserve your old attitude toward me, even though I shall not be present. For, a meeting of the minds usually counts for even more than a meeting of the bodies.
For your Most Reverend Lordship, to whom I pledge my services, I wish constant good health amid every happiness.
Frombork, 8 June 1536
Nicholas Copernicus
Translation by Edward Rosen
Frombork, 8 June 1536
Reuerendissimo in Christo Patri et Domino, Domino Joanni Episcopo Culmensi, Domino suo Clementissimo
Reuerendissime in Christo Pater et Domine, Domine Clementissime. Accepi litteras Reuerendissimae Dominationis Vestrae humanitatis plenae et gratiae. Quibus me admonet illius familiaritatis et gratiae, quam adhuc in iuuentute cum Reuerendissima Dominatione Vestra contraxi, quam adhuc tamquam florentem apud se durare intelligo. Sicque me inter suos familiares connumerando inuitare dignata est ad nuptias cognatae suae. Equidem, Reuerendissime Domine, obtemperare debeam Reuerendissimae Dominationi Vestrae et aliquando me praesentare tanto meo domino et patrono. Nunc vero in negocio occupatus, quod mihi reuerendissimus dominus Varmiensis iniuxit, abesse nequeo. Quapropter boni consulere dignetur ipsam absentiam meam et seruare antiquam illam de me opinionem quamuis absentis, cum plus esse consueuit animorum coniunctio, quam etiam corporum. Reuerendissimam Dominationem Vestram in omni felicitate, cui seruitia mea commendo, perpetuo valere cupio. Ex Frauemburg, VIII Junij MDXXXVI.
Nicolaus Copernicus
