Letter 16
|venantius fortunatus
XVI. Ad Hilarium
To Hilarius
Pure light of the spirit, always dear to me, Hilarius — though absent, you are seen by my care — whose honorable love has filled my heart so full that I never speak with an empty mind without you: I send you these few verses as a pledge of my greeting. May what affection has sent be dear to you, I pray.
XVI
Ad Hilarium
Lux sincera animi, semper mihi dulcis Hilari,
quamvis absentem quem mea cura videt,
cuius honestus amor tantum mea corda replevit,
ut sine te numquam mente vacante loquar:
versibus exiguis mandamus vota salutis;
quae dedit affectus sint tibi cara, precor.
◆
XVI. Ad Hilarium
To Hilarius
Pure light of the spirit, always dear to me, Hilarius — though absent, you are seen by my care — whose honorable love has filled my heart so full that I never speak with an empty mind without you: I send you these few verses as a pledge of my greeting. May what affection has sent be dear to you, I pray.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.