Letter 8: Although we were not expecting it, yet were certainly longing for it, your old courier delivered your letter -- a...

Sidonius to his lord Bishop Principius, greetings. 1. Although we were not expecting it, yet were certainly longing for it, your old courier delivered your letter -- a man proven reliable, to whom repeated commissions may justly be entrusted, since he carried out the first so well. Thus, honored by a second greeting or rather a second benediction, I return a second salutation in kind, matching your gestures in number if not in merit. 2. And since, my lord bishop, we now live with hearts joined but regions sundered, and the separation of our dwellings prevents us from enjoying one another's company, pray that through a longed-for and devout departure from the anguish and burden of this present life, when the holy day of judgment dawns with the resurrection, we may be joined to your ranks to serve you -- even if in the lowly capacity of Gibeonite servitude. For according to the heavenly promises, which pledged that the children of God would be gathered from all nations, if mercy consoles us sinners while glory awaits you among the blessed, then though we be separated by the difference in our deeds, we shall not be separated by the distance of our dwellings. Deign to remember me, my lord bishop.

EPISTULA VIII Sidonius domino papae Principio salutem. 1. Quamquam nobis non opinantibus, desiderantibus tamen litteras tuas reddidit gerulus antiquus, idoneus inventus, cui iure repetita credantur officia, quandoquidem prima sic detulit. igitur affatu secundo vel potius benedictione donatus ipse quoque rependo alterum salve, obsequia combinans numeris aequata, non meritis. 2. et quia, domine papa, modo vivimus <animis> iunctis abiunctisque regionibus conspectibusque mutuis frui dissociatae situ habitationis inhibemur, orate, ut optabili religiosoque decessu vitae praesentis angoribus atque onere perfuncti, cum iudicii dies sanctus offulserit cum resurrectione, agminibus vestris famulaturi vel sub Gabaoniticae servitutis occasione iungamur; quia secundum promissa caelestia, quae spoponderunt filios dei de nationibus congregandos, si nos reos venia soletur, dum vos beatos gloria manet, etsi per actionum differentiam, non tamen per locorum distantiam dividemur. memor nostri esse dignare, domine papa.