XXII. Ad eundem
To Avitus, Bishop of Clermont
I have obeyed your commands, holy and venerable bishop and father, sweet Avitus — served your orders. My Muse pipes away more with the trivial chatter of a shrill reed than she pleases in clear melody. But so that you may grant pardon — lover of piety as you are — attend to my obedience and do not weigh it against sophistication. For a great gift, I repay these small things modestly: what is offered in prayers be weighed — it is one who has a rough tongue.
[Second poem to the same:]
What high honor surpassing faith merits, supreme bishop, sweet Avitus — you make plain: you who bind everyone's hearts in blessed love, drawing after you, dear father, captivated hearts.
Yet among all those your sweetness has filled, I go forward most promptly in affection.
My sweet light, vigor of your homeland, nurturer of the needy, hope of pilgrims, guide and honor of the fathers — if my voice rang out its song with constant edge, I would speak lesser than your praise and greater than my love, father. But the greatest occasion given to my longing is this: to speak your holy name, excellent one.
Also commended to the love of your piety, in equal humble voice, are Agnes and Radegund. May your life flourish, generous and health-giving, through many years — for what was yours becomes mine, dear one.
XXII
Ad eundem
Paruimus iussis, sacer ac venerande sacerdos
et pater, imperiis, dulcis Avite, tuis.
garrulitate levi potius stridente cicuta
quam placeat liquido nostra camena melo;
sed tamen, ut veniam tribuas, pietatis amator
intende obsequium nec trutinato sophum.
munere pro magno modicus haec parvula solvo:
pensetur votis. est cui lingua rudis.
a Item ad eundem
Virtutum quid celsa fides mereatur honoris,
summe sacerdotum, dulcis Avite , probas ,
qui nectens animos cunctorum in amore beato
post te, care pater, pectora capta trahis.
sed tamen inter eos, tua quos dulcedo replevit,
promptus in affectu portio maior agor.
lumen dulce meum, patriae vigor, altor egentum.
spes peregrinorum, ductor honorque patrum,
si mea vox iugi resonaret acumine carmen,
laude minor loquerer, maior amore, pater;
maxima sed nostri datur haec occasio voti,
vel memorare tuum nomen, opime, sacrum.
commendantur item vestrae pietatis amori,
Agnes voce humili cum Radegunde pari,
larga salutiferos vigeat tibi vita per annos,
nam tua quae fuerit fit mea, care, salus.
◆
XXII. Ad eundem To Avitus, Bishop of Clermont
I have obeyed your commands, holy and venerable bishop and father, sweet Avitus — served your orders. My Muse pipes away more with the trivial chatter of a shrill reed than she pleases in clear melody. But so that you may grant pardon — lover of piety as you are — attend to my obedience and do not weigh it against sophistication. For a great gift, I repay these small things modestly: what is offered in prayers be weighed — it is one who has a rough tongue.
[Second poem to the same:]
What high honor surpassing faith merits, supreme bishop, sweet Avitus — you make plain: you who bind everyone's hearts in blessed love, drawing after you, dear father, captivated hearts.
Yet among all those your sweetness has filled, I go forward most promptly in affection.
My sweet light, vigor of your homeland, nurturer of the needy, hope of pilgrims, guide and honor of the fathers — if my voice rang out its song with constant edge, I would speak lesser than your praise and greater than my love, father. But the greatest occasion given to my longing is this: to speak your holy name, excellent one.
Also commended to the love of your piety, in equal humble voice, are Agnes and Radegund. May your life flourish, generous and health-giving, through many years — for what was yours becomes mine, dear one.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.