A Letter from Jacob van den Wege, Written to his Wife

O my most beloved under the sun, and my three children, who make my heart so faint that I hardly know what I have in myself; for when I think of you, I am so sorely crushed with anguish in the press of affliction that my eyes overflow with tears, and I can quiet myself only with difficulty.

O my dear wife, and my three lambs, whom I love, how strong is love? How shall I be able to write you a parting letter? For the waters of affliction fill my eyes, and this through my infirmity, misery and great weakness.

O my wife, I confess here before you and before all who read this, that I have written to you here far too feebly and miserably; nevertheless, the great anxiety and deep affliction, which rise out of my strong love for you four, drove me to it. But I hope that you will accept it from me for the sake of the truth; and, my dear wife, please hear my answer to what you had asked me, as to what advice I would give you about the traveling. I say, I give you no advice about it, since I know of no opportunity at present; but I would most urgently beg you that, if it is possible for you to earn some sort of a living here, you remain until the matter is decided with me one way or the other, and this for no other reason than that I might still hear from you now and then, for a greeting from you is more precious to me than much silver or gold. And, my wife, please know that Kalleken Meere, who is imprisoned with me, has made a bequest, namely, a shift, a necklace, a night neckerchief, and a hairlace; and Hijntgen also gives you a night neckerchief, a neck cloth, and her best apron. They give this to you for their remembrance and testament; after their death it is yours, and they warmly greet you with the peace of the Lord. Amen.

Written in my bonds, by me, your dear husband and brother in the Lord.

JACOB VAN DEN WEGE.