Letter 93: (Written soon after Gregory's resignation of the Archbishopric.) Our retreat and leisure and quiet have about them something very agreeable to me; but the fact that they cut me off from your friendship and society is not so advantageous but rather the other way. Others enjoy your Perfection, to me it would be really a great boon if I might have ...

Gregory to a friend, after his resignation. Our retreat and our leisure and our quiet have much about them that is agreeable to me. But the fact that they cut me off from your friendship and your company is not so advantageous -- rather the opposite. Others enjoy your presence. For me it would be a genuine blessing if I could see you again. But since that is not possible at present, I send you this letter as a substitute -- a poor substitute, I know, for a poor letter is a very inadequate replacement for a rich friendship. Pray for me in my solitude, as I pray for you in your labors.

Ep. XCIII. (Written soon after Gregory's resignation of the Archbishopric.) Our retreat and leisure and quiet have about them something very agreeable to me; but the fact that they cut me off from your friendship and society is not so advantageous but rather the other way. Others enjoy your Perfection, to me it would be really a great boon if I might have just that shadow of conversation which comes in a letter. Shall I see you again? Shall I embrace again him of whom I am so proud, and shall this be granted to the remnant of my life? If so, all thanks to God: if not, the best part of my life is over. Pray remember your friend Gregory and pray for him.