Letter 1017: Ad Placidinam

To Placidina Dear Placidina, accept these small gifts gladly, pious one — you who shine yourself as a more fitting gift in this world. That an island in the midst of the waves could send you these things, the Ocean itself held back its swelling waters with a murmur of submission. When I hurried to learn those sea-places, a fierce wave coming from the north drove me back — yet your prosperity proved itself complete: what would have been sought from the water was offered instead on dry land.

XVII Ad Placidinam Munera parva nimis, pia, suscipe quaeso libenter, quae magis ipsa decens munus in orbe micas. fluctibus e mediis ut haec daret insula vobis, Oceanus tumidas murmure pressit aquas. quae loca dum volui properans agnoscere ponti, a Borea veniens reppulit unda furens; prosperitas ut vestra tamen se plena probaret, obtulit in terris quod peteretur aquis.