Letter 26

XXVI. Ad Rucconem diaconum, modo presbyterum To Rucco, Deacon — now Priest Powerful minister of the Lord's altar, good Rucco — I send you quickly from here this work of greeting. The swelling sea of the Ocean surrounds us [Fortunatus in Brittany], and Paris holds you, dear companion. The Seine keeps you; the British wave encircles me. We are divided by lands, but one love binds us. The fury of the sea here does not take that face from me, nor does the north wind carry away your name, friend. You run back to me in my heart so often, as often as the sea-wave runs in winter's time. As the sea is shaken whenever the east wind blows, so my mind without you, dear one, does not stand still. A gentle storm burns in my calm heart and draws me to you in its varied movement. But remember me and repay the prayer that asks it, so that God may give equal gifts to equals — so that Christ's grace may enrich the human mind, and our senses and words may be free for our Lord.

XXVI Ad Rucconem diaconum, modo presbyterum Altaris domini pollens , bone Rucco, minister, hinc tibi festinus mando salutis opus. nos maris Oceani tumidum circumfluit aequor, te quoque Parisius, care sodalis, habet; Sequana te retinet, nos unda Britannica cingit: divisos terris alligat unus amor. non furor hic pelagi vultum mihi subtrahit illum nec boreas aufert nomen, amice, tuum. pectore sub nostro tam saepe recurris amator, tempore sub hiemis quam solet unda maris. ut quatitur pelagus quotiens proflaverit eurus, stat neque sic animus te sine, care, meus. blanda serenato tempestas pectore fervet atque ad te varia mobilitate trahit. sed memor esto mei votumque repende petenti, ut pariter paribus det sua dona deus, humanam mentem Christi quo gratia ditet ac domino nostro sensus et ora vacent.