Letter 9004: Our traveler and letter-carrier keeps wearing the same familiar ruts of the road — the distance that separates our...

Sidonius to his lord, Bishop Graecus. Our traveler and letter-carrier keeps wearing the same familiar ruts of the road — the distance that separates our two towns — by retracing the route again and again. It is therefore only right that we too should continue the duties of a correspondence we once undertook, and that we should redouble them with a certain eagerness of mind, especially when Amantius is the courier — lest it appear that he demands letters from me as a matter of custom more than I dictate them as a matter of love, my lord bishop. And so, remember those of us who presume to count ourselves among your own — we who are lifted by your good fortunes and weighed down by your adversities. For the news has reached us — a tearful report to tearful recipients — that you recently endured great anguish on account of the troubles of certain brothers. But you, flower of priests, jewel of bishops, strong in knowledge and stronger still in conscience — scorn the threats and waves of worldly storms, since you yourself have often taught that the way to the promised banquets of the patriarchs and the nectar of the heavenly cups leads through the bitter chalices of earthly suffering. Like it or not, whoever attains the kingdom of the despised Mediator [Christ] follows his example. However many cups of anxiety the affliction of this present life may pour for us, we endure little — if we remember what he drank on the cross who invites us to heaven. Please remember me in your prayers, 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.