Letter 2006: I heard through a faint rumor that Your Piety has been unwell.

From: Eufrasius, a cleric To: Ruricius, bishop of Limoges Date: ~490 AD Context: A short, anxious letter from Eufrasius, who has heard a rumor that Bishop Ruricius is unwell, and sends a messenger to get news, expressing deep concern. Eufrasius to his holy lord, most blessed in merits, the Pope Ruricius, to be revered with the honor of apostolic reverence and father. I heard through a faint rumor that Your Piety has been unwell. I have sent the bearer of this letter so that you may quickly relieve my anxiety about this distressing news. For the divine mercy knows that I share in your sadness and illness not as one who merely sympathizes but as one who bears the same pain. May God in his mercy grant me the vigor and energy of your full health for many years to come — for I truly feel myself restored only when I learn good news of your well-being as quickly as I hope for.

VI. DOMNO SANCTO MERITIS BEATISSIMO PAPAE HONORIS CULTU SUSPICIENDO ATQVE APOSTOLICO PATRI DOMNO RURICIO EPISCOPO EUFRASIUS. Taediosam pietatem uestram esse tenui rumore cognoui, sed harum baiulum destinaui, ut anxietatem meam de acerbitate nuntii celeriter releuetis, quia scit diuina pietas, quod et tristitiam et infirmitatem uestram non conpatientis, sed perferentis dolore participo. sic ita concedat diuina miseratio, ut mihi per multos annos exterioris uestri uigorem et alacritatem integrae sanitatis indulgeat, quia uere tunc reparatum esse me sentio, si de sospitate uestra celerius optata cognouero.