[For the date of this letter see App. 5. If the conjecture there made is correct, this should be placed in the summer before Erasmus went to Paris. I cannot trace the Bishop's movements in 1495, and thus am unable to show where Erasmus writes from. Communications from Bergen to either Brussels or Mechlin would pass by water.]
Erasmus expresses relief that his letters reached James Batt safely and shares his emotional reaction to learning about Batt's serious illness. He urges Batt not to interfere with Erasmus's affairs through excessive ambition and emphasizes that he should prioritize his own health first. Erasmus also mentions that a letter pleased the Lord of Bergen, though it was written to fulfill a duty rather than to please.
ERASMUS OF ROTTERDAM TO JACOB BATT, SECRETARY OF THE TOWN OF BERGEN, A MOST LEARNED MAN, GREETINGS. I rejoice that my letters have come into your hands; for I was afraid that the sailor, a rather careless fellow, might have attended to our instructions too negligently. Moreover, your letter was so desired and awaited by me that, as soon as it was delivered to the ship, I opened it and read it. Then, conflicting emotions stirred my mind; for at first glance I was somewhat angry with you for sending such a brief one. For I wish that you, such is my eagerness for my dear Batt, would write not letters but volumes. Then, running through it with a flying glance, as they say, when I read that you had been seized by a very persistent fever, as you write, I trembled through my whole breast, and with fixed eyes I began to reread that part a little more carefully; but when I understood that you had recovered because of our letters, I was immediately relieved of that pain or fear; I read the rest more cheerfully. Indeed, my sweetest Batt, I leave the whole matter to your prudence; but again and again I warn you not to hinder my affairs with untimely ambition. First, care must be taken that you look after your Erasmus; then, if my zeal or recommendation or writings can be of any use, I will bring forth all of that in turn to honor you. Moreover, it is a pleasure to me that the letter pleased the Lord of Bergen; but it was not written by me merely to please, but to comply with my own wish. You never mention what hope there is concerning this. I begged you with all the vehemence I could; and now I beg you again, I implore, I entreat you, my Batt, that this matter, which is of great importance to me, you may hold in no ordinary care. And so, please read my letters so diligently that you may think nothing in them was written by me rashly, however inelegantly. Farewell.