Letter 4: Our traveler and letter carrier wears the ruts of his accustomed road, traversing again and again the stretch of...

Sidonius to his lord Bishop Graecus, greetings. 1. Our traveler and letter carrier wears the ruts of his accustomed road, traversing again and again the stretch of highway and countryside that separates our two cities. For this reason it is fitting that we too should cultivate the duties of a diligence once undertaken -- duties that we ought to redouble with a certain purposefulness whenever other travelers come and go, but especially when Amantius makes his rounds, lest he seem to demand letters out of habit more than we compose them out of love, my lord bishop. Therefore, be all the more mindful of your friends, among whom I presume to be counted, and who, just as we are uplifted by your good fortune, are cast down by your adversity. 2. For the report has reached us, tearfully conveyed to tearful hearers, that you recently endured many anguishes on account of the troubles of certain of our brothers. But you, flower of priests, jewel of bishops, strong in knowledge and stronger still in conscience -- despise the threats and storms of this world's tempests, for you yourself have often taught that the way to the promised banquets of the patriarchs and to the nectar of heavenly cups leads through the bitter chalices of earthly suffering. 3. Whether you will it or not, whoever attains the kingdom of the despised Mediator follows His example. However great the cups of anxiety that the affliction of this present life presses upon us, we endure but little if we remember what He drank at the cross who invites us to heaven. Deign to remember me, my lord bishop.

EPISTULA IV Sidonius domino papae Graeco salutem. 1. Viator noster ac tabellarius terit orbitas itineris assueti spatium viae regionumque, quod oppida nostra discriminat, saepe relegendo. quocirca nos quoque decet semel propositae sedulitatis officia sectari, quae cum reliquis commeantibus tum praecipue Amantio intercurrente geminare cum quadam mentis intentione debemus, ne forte videatur ipse plus litteras ex more deposcere quam nos ex amore dictare, domine papa; ideoque vestrorum plus mementote, quos inter praesumimus computari, quique, sicut vestris erigimur secundis, ita deprimimur adversis. 2. nam quod nuper quorumpiam fratrum necessitate multos pertuleritis angores, flebili ad flentes relatione pervenit. sed tu, flos sacerdotum gemma pontificum, scientia fortis fortior conscientia, minas undasque mundialium sperne nimborum, quia frequenter ipse docuisti, quod ad promissa convivia patriarcharum vel ad nectar caelestium poculorum per amaritudinum terrenarum calices perveniretur. 3. velis nolis, quisque contempti mediatoris consequitur regnum, sequitur exemplum. quantumlibet nobis anxietatum pateras vitae praesentis propinet afflictio, parva toleramus, si recordamur, quid biberit ad patibulum qui invitat ad caelum. memor nostri esse dignare, domine papa.