And once more he said,—
"Dear children, I am very ill."
And the faithful Joachim comforted him again,—"My gracious Master, the Almighty God, sends it all to your electoral highness from the greatest love."
The prince clasped his hands, and said,—
"For that I can trust my good God!" and added, "Help me, help me, O my God."
And after receiving the holy communion in both kinds, he called his servants around him, and said,—
"Dear children, I entreat you, that in whatever I have done you wrong, by word or deed, you will forgive me for God's sake, and pray others to do the same. For we princes do much wrong often to poor people that should not be."
As he spoke thus, all that were in the room could not restrain their tears, and seeing that, he said,—
"Dear children, weep not for me. It will not be long with me now. But think of me, and pray to God for me."
Spalatin had copied some verses of the Bible for him, which he put on his spectacles to read for himself. He thought much of Luther, whom, much as he had befriended him, he had never spoken to, and sent for him. But it was in vain. Luther was on the Hartz mountains, endeavouring to quell the peasants' revolt. That interview is deferred to the world where all earthly distinctions are forgotten, but where the least Christian services are remembered.