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Polski (PL) 
Copernicus to Bishop John Dantiscus, Frombork, 2 December 1538
Original: Czartoryski Library, Kraków, manuscript 1596, pp. 519-520.
Nicholas Copernicus (Nicolaus Copernicus) replies to John Dantiscus, Bishop of Varmia, that he has received the rebuke [in the matter of Anna Schilling] with a sincere heart. He also remembered the first rebuke of the Bishop and wished to act unanimously with his will, but because he could not immediately find a suitable and experienced housekeeper, he intended to settle this matter before Easter [April 6, 1539]. However, in order for the Bishop not to think that he was trying to delay the matter, he set the termination date to be one month hence, that is, the Feast of Christmas [December 25, 1538]; he was not able to set a shorter time-limit. He earnestly wishes to deny that he will not act improperly and will not insult the Bishop with any matter.
Further reading
- Biskup Marian, Regesta Copernicana, Warszawa 1973.
- Kopernik Mikołaj, Pisma pomniejsze, Warszawa 2007.
Frombork, 2 December 1538
To his lordship, Most Reverend Father in Christ, Johannes [Dantiscus], by the grace of God bishop of Varmia, his most gracious lordship
My lord, Most Reverend Father in Christ, most gracious lord, to be heeded by me in everything:
I acknowledge your Most Reverend Lordship's quite fatherly, and more than fatherly admonition, which I have felt even in my innermost being. I have not in the least forgotten the earlier one, which your Most Reverend Lordship delivered in person and in general. Although I wanted to do what you advised, nevertheless it was not easy to find a proper female relative forthwith, and therefore I intended to terminate this matter by the time of the Easter holidays. Now, however, lest your Most Reverend Lordship suppose that I am looking for an excuse to procrastinate, I have shortened the period to a month, that is, to the Christmas holidays, since it could not be shorter, as your Most Reverend Lordship may realize. For as far as I can, I want to avoid offending all good people, and still less your Most Reverend Lordship. To you, who have deserved my reverence, respect, and affection in the highest degree, I devote myself with all my faculties.
Gynopolis [Frombork], 2 December 1538
Your Most Reverend Lordship's
most obedient
Nicholas Copernicus
Translation by Edward Rosen
Frombork, 2 December 1538
Reuerendissimo in Christo Patri et Domino, Domino Joanni Dei gratia Episcopo Varmiensi, Domino suo Clementissimo
Reuerendissime in Christo Pater et Domine, Domine Clementissime mihique in omnibus Obseruande. Adhortationem Reuerendissimae Dominationis Vestrae paternam satis et plus quam paternam agnosco, quam etiam intimo corde suscepi. Et quamuis prioris illius, quam Reuerendissima Dominatio Vestra praesens et in genere habuit, minime oblitus facere volebam, quod monebat; quia tamen non erat facile familiam necessariam ac probam protinus inuenire, propositum erat nihilominus citra festa Pascae illi rei finem dare. Iam vero, ne Reuerendissima Dominatio Vestra opinetur me perendinationis affectare praetextus, restrinxi terminum ad unum mensem, hoc est usque ad festa Natalia; neque enim breuior esse potuit, vt Reuerendissima Dominatio Vestra perpendere potest. Cupio enim pro posse cauere, ne sim offendiculo bonis omnibus, quanto minus Reuerendissimae Dominationis Vestrae, quae meruit, vt a me reueretur, honoretur et plurimum ametur, cui me cum omnibus facultatibus meis deuoueo. Ex Gynopoli, secunda Decembris MDXXXVIII.
Eidem Reuerendissimae Dominationi Vestrae obedientissimus
Nicolaus Copernicus
