The letter of Neacşu of Câmpulung
From Wikisource
| ←Wikisource:Romania | The letter of Neacşu of Câmpulung by , translated by Wikisource |
| This letter is the oldest surviving document written in the Romanian language. It was discovered by Nicolae Iorga in the Braşov archives. Seemingly it was written on 29-30 June, 1512, at Dlăgopole (the Slavonic name of Câmpulung-Muscel). It was sent to Hanas Benger of Braşov, warning about the Turks' intention to attack. |
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[edit] Modern English translation
To the most wise and venerable and by God endowed master Hanas Benger of Braşov, all the best, from Neacşu of Câmpulung.
And again I let Your Highness know of the Turks' deeds, as I heard that the Emperor has left Sofia, and sailed up the Danube, and the truth is no other, but this.
And again you should know that a man from Nicopolis came to me and told me he saw with his own eyes that those ships, which you also know of, have sailed up the Danube.
And again you should know that they have fifty men from each town to help on the ships.
And again you should know how a few sailors from Tsarigrad found a way to steer the ships past that narrow place, which you also know of.
And again I tell you about the work of Mahamet beg, as I heard from neighbouring boyars and from my son-in-law, Negre, that the Emperor gave Mahamet beg freedom to pass through Wallachia whenever he pleases.
And again you should know that Basarab too is greatly fearful of that thief Mahamet beg, even more than Your Highness.
And again I tell Your Highness, as you are my Lord, of what I had also understood. I am tell Your Highness these, and Your Highness are wise and you should keep these words for yourself and not let many people know, and you should prepare the best you can.
And may God bring happiness upon you. Amen.
[edit] Transliteration from Cyrillic
m(u)drom(u) i plemenitom(u) i čistitom(u) i b[o]g[o](m) darovannom(u) župa(n) hanĭ(š) be(g)ne(r) o(t) brašo(v) mno(g)[o] z(d)ravie o(t) ně(k)šu(l) o(t) dlŭgopole
i pa(k) dau štire do(m)nïetale za lukru(l) tu(r)čilo(r) kum amĭ auzi(t) èu kŭ ĩpŭratu(l) au èši(t) de(n) sofïę ši aimi(n)trě nue ši sěu du(s) ĩ su(s) pre dunŭre
i pa(k) sŭ štïi do(m)nïjata kŭ au veni(t) u(n) ω(m) de la nikopoe de mïe mě(u) spu(s) kŭ au vŭzu(t) ku ωkïi loi kŭ au treku(t) čěle korabïi če štïi ši do(m)nïjata pre dunŭre ĩ su(s)
i pak sŭ štïi kŭ bagŭ den tote ωrašele kŭte [50] de ωmi(n) sŭ ę fïe ĩn ažuto(r) ĩ korabïi
i pak sŭ štïi kumu sěu prinsŭ nešte me(š)šte(r) de(n) c[a]ri gra(d) ku(m) vorĭ trěče ačěle korabïi la loku(l) čela (st)rimtu(l) če šttïi ši do(m)nïjata
i pa(k) spui do(m)nïetale de lukru(l) lu mahame(t) be(g) ku(m)u amĭ auzit de boęri če sŭntĭ medžïja(š) ši de dženere-mïu negre kumu ęu da(t) ĩpŭratu(l) slobozïe lu mahame(t) beg pre iu iωi va fi voę pren cěra rumŭněskŭ jarŭ èlĭ sŭ trěkŭ
i pa(k) sŭ štïi do(m)nïjata kŭ are frikŭ mare ši bŭsŭrab de ače(l) lotru de mahame(t) be(g) ma(i) vŭrto(s) de do(m)nïele vo(s)tre
i pa(k) spui do(m)nïetale ka ma(i) marele mïu de če amĭ ĩcele(s) šïeu eu spui do(m)nïetale jarŭ do(m)nïjata ešti ĩceleptĭ ši ačěste kuvi(n)te sŭ cïi do(m)nïjata la tine sŭ nu štïe umi(n) mulci ši do(m)nïele vo(s)tre sŭ vŭ pŭzici ku(m) štici ma(i) bine
i b[og]ĭ te ve(s)[e]li(t) am[in]ŭ
[edit] Transcription by present orthography rules
Mudromu I plemenitomu, I cistitomu I bogom darovanomu jupan Hanăş Bengner ot Braşov mnogo zdravie ot Nécşu ot Dlăgopole.
I pak dau ştire domnie tale za lucrul turcilor, cum am auzit eu că împăratul au eşit den Sofiia, şi aimintrea nu e, şi se-au dus în sus pre Dunăre.
I pak să ştii domniia ta că au venit un om de la Nicopole de miie me-au spus că au văzut cu ochii lor că au trecut ciale corăbii ce ştii şi domniia ta pre Dunăre în sus.
I pak să ştii că bagă den toate oraşele câte 50 de omin să fie de ajutor în corăbii.
I pak să ştii cumu se-au prins neşte meşter den Ţarigrad cum vor treace ceale corăbii la locul cela strimtul ce ştii şi domniia ta.
I pak spui domniie tale de lucrul lui Mahamet beg, cum am auzit de boiari ce sunt megiiaş şi de generemiiu Negre, cum i-au dat împăratul sloboziie lui Mahamet beg, pe io-i va fi voia, pren Ţeara Rumânească, iară el să treacă.
I pak să ştii domniia ta că are frică mare şi Băsărab de acel lotru de Mahamet beg, mai vârtos de domniile voastre.
I pak spui domniietale ca mai marele miu, de ce am înţeles şi eu. Eu spui domniietale iară domniiata eşti înţelept şi aceste cuvinte să ţii domniiata la tine, să nu ştie umin mulţi, şi domniile vostre să vă păziţi cum ştiţi mai bine.
I bog te veselit. Amin.
