XX. Ad Felicem episcopum Biturigum, scriptum in turrem eius
To Felix, Bishop of Bourges, Written on His Tower
How fittingly they are joined together — that the consecrated body of the lamb [Christ, in the Eucharist] should carry a great pearl and golden gifts! Let Solomon's vessels yield to the chrysolite metals [Solomon's temple fittings, described in I Kings 7] — these please more by the art and the faith they serve.
May the gifts that Felix offers to you, Christ, be like those that the shepherd Abel [Genesis 4:4 — Abel's offering, which God accepted] gave from his flock in those days. And may you, who see the heart of the one who gives them, count them equal in piety to the two mites [Mark 12:42-44 — the widow's offering] that the widow gave.
XX
Ad Felicem episcopum Biturigum, scriptum in turrem eius
Quam bene iuncta decent, sacrati ut corporis agni
margaritum ingens aurea dona ferant!
cedant chrysolitis Salomonia vasa metallis:
ista placere magis ars facit atque fides.
quae data, Christe, tibi Felicis munera sic sint,
qualia tunc tribuit de grege pastor Abel,
et cuius tu corda vides, pietate coaeques
siraptae merito quae dedit aera duo.
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XX. Ad Felicem episcopum Biturigum, scriptum in turrem eius To Felix, Bishop of Bourges, Written on His Tower
How fittingly they are joined together — that the consecrated body of the lamb [Christ, in the Eucharist] should carry a great pearl and golden gifts! Let Solomon's vessels yield to the chrysolite metals [Solomon's temple fittings, described in I Kings 7] — these please more by the art and the faith they serve.
May the gifts that Felix offers to you, Christ, be like those that the shepherd Abel [Genesis 4:4 — Abel's offering, which God accepted] gave from his flock in those days. And may you, who see the heart of the one who gives them, count them equal in piety to the two mites [Mark 12:42-44 — the widow's offering] that the widow gave.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.