The Poetic Works of Helius Eobanus Hessus: Volume 4

In this volume, Eobanus Hessus turns from passionate Erasmian into staunch defender of Luther, only to find himself caught in the no-man's-land between the two titans. Under Erasmus' spell, he writes Itinerary of My Journey to Erasmus, On the Restoration of Studies at Erfurt, epigrams against Edward Lee, and Short Preface to the 'Enchiridion.' Changing course in 1521, he publishes Elegies in Praise and Defense of Luther and Letter of the Afflicted Church to Luther. Thereafter, amid tumults and academic collapse, he battles the radical preachers in Some Letters of Illustrious Men Concerning the More Humane Studies and Three Dialogues. Two elegies serve as intermezzos: a Consolation to the imprisoned William of Brunswick and a patriotic Invective against Johannes Dantiscus.