[There is no clue to the date of this letter. It may belong to the same period as Ep. 39, in which Erasmus explains his long silence. As in that letter, he is evidently away from Steyn, and busily engaged; perhaps with his duties as secretary to the Bp. of Cambray.]
Erasmus acknowledges Francis Theodoric's friendship and expresses gratitude for his recent letter. He apologizes for his own infrequent correspondence, explaining that it was due to overwhelming professional duties rather than neglect. Erasmus promises to write more frequently once his current obligations are resolved.
Erasmus of Rotterdam to his friend Francis, greetings. Although I have long held your affection toward me as most thoroughly proven, nevertheless I daily understand it more and more from your most delightful letters, which you recently gave to the messenger for me. Therefore, you would fill me with inexpressible pleasure if you would arrange that your letters fly to us more frequently from your place. But that you have thus far received letters from me more rarely than you expected, I beg you, do not hold me suspect under the name of negligence, but know that this happened not through my carelessness, but through the excessive occupations which have hindered me. Hereafter, when I have freed myself from my affairs, I shall strike you with such frequency of my letters that you will begin to beg more vehemently that I cease than you ever before entreated me to write. Farewell; greet your friends in my name, whom I consider equally mine and yours.