Letter 10
|venantius fortunatus
X. Ad eundem pro commendatione mulieris
To Gregory, Recommending a Woman
Highest father of the homeland, example of abundant piety, sweet head of Tours, summit of religion, always pursuing the heights with a merciful heart, Gregory — seeking here by right what is the glory of the soul:
The woman you recommended when she came, lofty bishop — now that she is returning, receive her back as a father would. Be also, dear one, the long-standing refuge for everyone, and may your life be, for me and for others, our harvest.
X
Ad eundem pro commendatione mulieris
Summe pater patriae, specimen pietatis opimae,
dulce caput Turonis, religionis apex,
iugiter alta sequens, clementi corde Gregori,
unde animae decus est huc ratione petens:
quam commendasti venientem, celse sacerdos,
hanc redeuntem ad te suscipe more patris.
sis quoque longaevus cunctorum, care, recursus,
et mihi vel reliquis sit tua vita seges.
◆
X. Ad eundem pro commendatione mulieris
To Gregory, Recommending a Woman
Highest father of the homeland, example of abundant piety, sweet head of Tours, summit of religion, always pursuing the heights with a merciful heart, Gregory — seeking here by right what is the glory of the soul:
The woman you recommended when she came, lofty bishop — now that she is returning, receive her back as a father would. Be also, dear one, the long-standing refuge for everyone, and may your life be, for me and for others, our harvest.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.