To the, in the LOrd, highly-honorable man, Bernhard von Doelen, Pastor in Sitten,, his brother in the LOrd. Grace and peace in Christ! My lord Kaethe greets you (respectfully?- void here in Latin text. Editors conjecture "reverenter") , my dear Bernhard. She has prompted me to write this to you. As to the other which you write regarding the negligence of the church-servants and the disrespect of the peasants it is all too true; at any rate, patience is beneficial for us and as we have seen previously, necessary.
In reference to the marriage I praise your determination but in no case should you hold the marriage before the parsonage is completed so that you can live with your wife alone. It is somewhat unbearable to live with your married wife in the home of another man (Herr). This virgin, Hannah Zeschin, I know very well; I have good hope regarding her uprightness and her good character; thus I am certain of her good upbringing (disciplina) which was under a severe school-master, with everything related to the establishment of a household that is required to be learned and endured so that I maintain that in homemaking she is well practiced and experienced but I do not want you to depend upon my judgement and you should not concede anything from anyone until you have seen the young woman yourself. In physical form she is not outstanding but mediocre as you likely will think in this respect yourself. Be it right well with you in the LOrd and pray for me. We are by God's goodness right healthy. On the day of Margaret (13 July) 1531.
NOTES: What sort of bodily form did Hannah Zeschin have? Is this what Kaethe wanted ML to tell Berhard von Doelen?
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