XIX. Ad Agricolam episcopum
To Bishop Agricola
Bishop, apex of honor, summit of lineage and faith, powerful cultivator of the field, finest shepherd of the flock — since the land of my mind merited being plowed by a father's hand, let it be tilled now by the ploughshare of his son. For my father [the patron who raised and educated Fortunatus], memorable to the world for his sweet affection, nourished both of us with one love. A parent in his heart, a nurse in his feeding, a good teacher in his speech — he loved, cultivated, guided, and gave honorable things. He sowed the plowed fallow fields with faithful diligence. Nurture the seed that my father poured.
XIX
Ad Agricolam episcopum
Praesul, honoris apex, generis fideique cacumen,
cultor agri pollens, pastor opime gregis,
cum mea terra manu meruit genitoris arari,
reddatur nati vomere culta sui.
nam pater, affectu dulci memorabilis orbi,
me vobiscum uno fovit amore duos;
corde parens, pastu nutrix, bonus ore magister
dilexit coluit rexit, honesta dedit.
ille pio studio sulcata novalia sevit:
quod pater effudit hoc mihi semen ale.
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XIX. Ad Agricolam episcopum To Bishop Agricola
Bishop, apex of honor, summit of lineage and faith, powerful cultivator of the field, finest shepherd of the flock — since the land of my mind merited being plowed by a father's hand, let it be tilled now by the ploughshare of his son. For my father [the patron who raised and educated Fortunatus], memorable to the world for his sweet affection, nourished both of us with one love. A parent in his heart, a nurse in his feeding, a good teacher in his speech — he loved, cultivated, guided, and gave honorable things. He sowed the plowed fallow fields with faithful diligence. Nurture the seed that my father poured.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.