[Illustration: Ulrich von Hutten.]
Again Hutten visited Italy, this time by a partial reconciliation with
his father, who would overlook his failure to become a priest if he
would study law at Rome. At about this time Luther visited Rome. He
came, at first, in a spirit of reverence; but, at last, he wrote:
"_Wenn es gibt eine Hoelle, Roma ist darauf gebant_." ("If there is a
hell, Rome is built on it.")
The impression on Hutten was scarcely less vivid. Little by little he
began to see in the Pope of Rome a criminal greater that Professor
Loetz, greater than Duke Ulrich, one who could devour not one cousin
only, but the whole German people and nation. "For three hundred
years," said he, "the Pope and the schoolmen have been covering the
teachings of Christ with a mass of superstitious ceremonies and wicked
books." These feelings were poured out in an appeal to the German
rulers to shake off the yoke, and no longer send their money to "Simon
of Rome."
Hutten's friends tried to quiet him. He was a man not of free thought
only, but of free speech, and knew no concealment. Milder men in those
times, as later Melancthon and Erasmus, were full of admiration of
Hutten, and valued his skill and force.
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