[388] This letter, which is a masterpiece of its kind, may be found in Luther's Epp. iv. p. 41, and also in Riddle's "Luther and his Times," p. 268. [Sidenote: LUTHER'S MERRIMENT.] But the Reformer was soon drawn away from these pleasing images. About this time he learnt that his father had gently fallen asleep in the faith which is in Jesus Christ. "Alas!" exclaimed he, shedding tears of filial love, "it is by the sweat of his brow that he made me what I am."[389] Other trials assailed him; and to bodily pains were added the phantoms of his imagination. One night in particular he saw three torches pass rapidly before his eyes, and at the same moment he heard claps of thunder in his head, which he ascribed to the devil. His servant ran in at the moment he fainted, and after having restored him to animation, read to him the Epistle to the Galatians. Luther, who had fallen asleep, said as he awoke: "Come, and despite of the devil let us sing the Psalm, _Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord_." They both sang the hymn. While Luther was thus tormented by these internal noises, he translated the prophet Jeremiah, and yet he often deplored his idleness. [389] Per ejus sudores aluit et finxit qualis sum.--(Epp. iv. p. 33.) He soon devoted himself to other studies, and poured out the floods of his irony on the mundane practices of courts. He saw Venice, the Pope, and the King of France, giving their hands to Charles V. to crush the Gospel. Then, alone in his chamber in the old castle, he burst into irresistible laughter. "Mr. _Par-ma-foy_, (it was thus he designated Francis I.), _Innomine-Domini_ (the Pope), and the Republic of Venice, pledge their goods and their bodies to the Emperor......_Sanctissimum fœdus_. A most holy alliance truly! This league between these four powers belongs to the chapter _Non-credimus_, Venice, the Pope, and France become _imperialists_!......But these are three persons in one substance, filled with unspeakable hatred against the Emperor. Mr. _Par-ma-foy_ cannot forget his defeat at Pavia; Mr. _In-nomine-Domini_ is, 1st, an Italian, which is already too much; 2d, a Florentine, which is worse; 3d, a bastard--that is to say, a child of the devil; 4th, he will never forget the disgrace of the sack of Rome. As for the Venetians, they are Venetians: that is quite enough; and they have good reason to avenge themselves on the posterity of Maximilian. All this belongs to the chapter _Firmiter-credimus_. But God will help the pious Charles, who is a sheep among wolves. Amen."[390] The former monk of Erfurth had a surer political foresight than many diplomatists of his age. [390] To Gasp. of Teutleben, 19th June.--(L. Epp. iv. p. 37.) [Sidenote: CONDITION OF SAXONY.]