Letter 10015: Ad Armentariam matrem domni Gregorii episcopi
To Armentaria, Mother of Bishop Gregory
Twice happy in merits for herself and for the world — more noble than her noble birth, because of those she bore — she is the Maccabean woman [2 Maccabees 7 — the mother of seven sons martyred for the Jewish faith] who sent seven palms to heaven from her womb, and that womb brought forth the glory of martyrdom.
You too, Armentaria, powerful in your offspring — rightly happy — are no less than that first mother in your birth. She was greater in number, but you are greatest in the single one: what many could accomplish, your one has done.
Famous by your offspring, surrounded by the fruit of what you bore — Gregory [Gregory of Tours] is your palm, your crown, your glory.
I commend humble Fortunatus to you with reverence, and I ask that you pray for heavenly help for me.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
Latin / Greek Original
XV
Ad Armentariam matrem domni Gregorii episcopi
Felix bis meritis sibi Machabaea vel orbi
(nobilitas generis nobilior genitis),
quae septem palmas caelo transmisit ab alvo,
martyriique decus protulit ille uterus.
tu quoque prole potens, recte Armentaria felix,
nec minor ex partu quam prior illa suo.
illa vetus numero maior, tu maxima solo:
quod poterant plures, unicus ecce tuus.
fetu clara tuo, geniti circumdata fructu,
est tibi Gregorius palma corona decus.
me Fortunatum humilem commendo verenter
ac mihi caelestem quaeso preceris opem.
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