I found a coach going
to Louvain, six miles away, and threw myself into it. I made the journey
in incredible and almost unendurable discomfort; however we reached
Louvain by seven o'clock on that day.

I had no intention of going to my own room, whether because I had a
suspicion that all would be cold there, or that I did not want to run
the risk of interfering with the amenities of the College in any way, if
I started a rumour of the plague. I went to Theodoric the printer's....
During the night a large ulcer broke without my feeling it, and the pain
had died down. The next day I called a surgeon. He applied poultices. A
third ulcer had appeared on my back, caused by a servant at Tongres when
he was anointing me with oil of roses for the pain in the kidneys and
rubbed one of my ribs too hard with a horny finger.... The surgeon on
his way out told Theodoric and his servant secretly that it was the
plague; he would send poultices, but would not come to see me
himself.... When the surgeon failed to return after a day or two, I
asked Theodoric the reason. He made some excuse. But I, suspecting what
the matter was, said 'What, does he think it is the plague?'
'Precisely,' said he, 'he insists that you have three plague-sores.' I
laughed, and did not allow myself even to imagine that I had the plague.
After some days the surgeon's father came, examined me, and assured me
that it was the true plague. Even so, I could not be convinced. I
secretly sent for another doctor who had a great reputation. He examined
me, and being something of a clown said, 'I should not be afraid to
sleep with you--and make love to you too, if you were a woman....'
[Still another doctor is summoned but does not return as promised,
sending his servant instead.] I dismissed the man and losing my temper
with the doctors, commended myself to Christ as my doctor.

My appetite came back within three days.... I then immediately returned
to my studies and completed what was still wanting to my New
Testament.... I had given orders as soon as I arrived that no one was to
visit me unless summoned by name, lest I should frighten anyone or
suffer inconvenience from anyone's assiduity; but Dorp forced his way in
first of all, then Ath. Mark Laurin and Paschasius Berselius, who came
every day, did much to make me well with their delightful company.

My dear Beatus, who would have believed that this meagre delicate body
of mine, weakened now by age also, could hav