Page:The Captivity of Hans Stade of Hesse.pdf/122

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To the Serene and Highborn Prince and Lord, the Lord Philipsen, Landgrave in Hesse, Count of Catzenellenbogen, Dietz, Ziegenhain, and Nidda, etc., my gracious Prince and Master.

Mercy and peace in Christ Jesu our Saviour, Gracious Prince and Master! So speaks the holy and kingly prophet David in the hundred and seventh psalm: "They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. For He commandeth and ariseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the Heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

"He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

"Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven.

"Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men.

"Let them exalt Him also in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders." In this manner do I thank the Almighty Creator of Heaven, Earth and Sea, his son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, for the great mercy and compassion which, among the savage people of the country Brazil, called the Tuppin

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