Letter 3017: While others feast on the holy and serene delights of your presence, I sustain the barrenness of my longing more by...

From: Avitus, bishop of Vienne To: Prince Sigismund Date: ~509 AD Context: A letter sent after a feast at Chalon, expressing Avitus's longing and requesting that Sigismund celebrate Easter joyfully. Bishop Avitus to the lord Sigismund. While others feast on the holy and serene delights of your presence, I sustain the barrenness of my longing more by the meager offering of my humble service than by any rational expectation. And so, after the feast — always dear to all, but uniquely special to the people of Chalon — I have dispatched this letter of humble devotion. Even if it attempted to touch upon the smallest portion of your praises, it could not adequately honor even the fact that my lowly self is permitted to offer it, or that your graciousness deigns to receive it. Drawing my own conclusions from the joy of so many people, I earnestly ask that, by God's favor, you may celebrate a joyful Easter.

Avitus episcopus domno Sigismundo. Dum alii sanctis ac serenis praesentiae vestrae deliciis epulantur, ego sterilitatem desiderii mei sustento magis pauperis officii tenuitate quam ratione. Vnde post festi- vitatem cunctis quidem semper amabilem, set Cabillonensibus singularem famulae sollicitudinis litteras destinavi. Quae si quantamcumque particulam laudum vestrarum niterentur attingere, nec hoc quidem sufficienter excolerent, quod eas vel humilitati meae licet porrigere, vel dignationi vestrae sumere libet. Coniciens ergo de tantorum laetitia multipliciter quaeso, ut deo propitio laetos paschales dies felici reditu faciatis. Quia, cum in absentia vestra quaedam nobis quadragesimae perduret austeritas, omni- bus catholicis principem Christianum, peculiari servulo piissimum domnum etiam post sollemnitatem vidisse sollemne est.