Letter 109
Whatever generosity you showed to those who were present might seem merely the expected tribute of their attendance. But we who missed your consulship due to various obligations — we've been honored by friendship, not rewarded for showing up.
I therefore offer you abundant thanks for the consular gift, and even greater thanks for the kindness behind it. If your modesty didn't check my words, I'd go on at greater length. So for now, my speech on this matter will be brief — but my memory of it will be long. Farewell.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
Related Letters
With this letter Jerome sends to Pammachius and Marcella a translation of the paschal letter issued by Theophilus for the year 402 A.D. together with the Greek original. He takes the precaution of sending this latter because in the preceding year complaints have been made that his translation was not accurate.
Rusticus and Artemia his wife having made a vow of continence broke it. Artemia proceeded to Palestine to do penance for her sin and Rusticus promised to follow her. However he failed to do so, and Jerome was asked to write this letter in the hope that it might induce him to fulfil his promise.