Letter 28
|venantius fortunatus
XXVIII. Ad Iohannem diaconum
To John the Deacon
Have these few verses, dear John, as a pledge of our friendship — always memorable — so that even as I am taken to places now unknown, I may not seem absent from your spirit, sweet friend.
Through you, venerable one, I greet father Anthemius, in whose affection I am firmly anchored. I also insert into these verses Hilarius, steadfast in love for us — the one my heart cherishes.
May you remain in your blessed merits throughout all ages; and when you read this again, please be willing to remember me.
XXVIII
Ad Iohannem diaconum
Pignus amicitiae semper memorabile nostrae
versibus exiguis, care Iohannis , habe ,
ut, cum me rapiunt loca nunc incognita forsan,
non animo videar, dulcis, abesse tuo.
Anthemium patrem per te, venerande, saluto,
cuius in affectu consolidatus agor.
Hilarium pariter nobis in amore tenacem
insero carminibus, quem mea corda colunt.
perpetuo maneas meritis felicibus aevo:
haec quoque cum relegis me memorare velis.
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XXVIII. Ad Iohannem diaconum
To John the Deacon
Have these few verses, dear John, as a pledge of our friendship — always memorable — so that even as I am taken to places now unknown, I may not seem absent from your spirit, sweet friend.
Through you, venerable one, I greet father Anthemius, in whose affection I am firmly anchored. I also insert into these verses Hilarius, steadfast in love for us — the one my heart cherishes.
May you remain in your blessed merits throughout all ages; and when you read this again, please be willing to remember me.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.