Letter 3002: Ad eundem

II To the same To the holy lord and my own special patron in God, Euphronius the bishop, from Fortunatus. The abundant and overflowing sweetness of your heart, which your blessedness, most loving father, has, as I confess, bestowed upon the devotion of my person -- who could conceive it in his heart as is fitting, or be able to set it forth in speech? It has bound me to itself with so great a bond of admirable love that I do not seem to be separated from that sight even for the space of a single hour. And even if I do not see him present, nevertheless I keep him stored away and shut up within the dwelling-place of my heart. (2) For who is not rendered specially devoted to your loving-kindness, in whom the benefits of so great a goodness are contained? Or whom would you draw unwilling to your sweetness, when we have proved your spirit to be poured forth with unspeakable love? With what admiration shall I embrace this, when I see you love all men in such a way as if you seemed to have begotten each one from your own side? (3) Indeed, which of your sons would desire to be proud, where he recognizes you as a father and a teacher of such great humility? Or, although he descend from the highest summit of nobility, when he beholds you so humbly suppliant, does he not, prostrate upon the ground, stretch himself out at your footsteps? Truly I say: if pride casts down the swollen man, your humility is greatly praiseworthy in that it raises men up. Who, finally, could be wrathful or turbulent there, where the priest and pontiff is found so gentle? For the whole flock knows how to live without rapacity where the tranquillity of living is learned from the shepherd. (4) What shall I report of the rest of your affairs? In which you so expend yourself in each particular that you are praised in all things; and even though we cannot imitate them, we nevertheless rejoice together to have seen what it would be fitting to imitate. (5) Wherefore, specially commending myself to your lordship and holiness, I ask and entreat (so may that lord of mine Martin obtain by his intercession, that the divine mercy may place you, together with him, according to your merits, in perpetual light), that you would deign to pray for me, your humble son and servant, at his blessed tomb, and that you would approach as a devout intercessor for the remission of my sins. (6) But all those who are yours, my lords and my dear ones, I reverently greet: I beg many times over that my lord, in all things most sweet, your son Aventius, be greeted on my behalf. To my lord Felix the bishop, if he comes through you, I ask that I be commended with a kindly spirit. Pray for me.

II Ad eundem DOMINO SANCTO MIHIQVE IN DEO PECVLIARI PATRONO EVFRONIO PAPAE FORTVNATVS. Copiosam et superabundantem pectoris vestri dulcedinem, quam circa devotionem per- sonae meae vestram beatitudinem, pater amantissime, fateor inpendisse, quis illam ut dignum est vel corde possit concipere vel sermone valeat explicare ? quae tanto me sibi vinculo admirandae caritatis adstrinxit, ut nec unius horae spatio ab illo mihi videar separari conspectu. quem et si praesentem non video, attamen intra pectoris habitaculum retineo conditum et reclausum. (2) Quis enim tuae pietati peculiaris non redditur, in quo tantae bonitatis beneficia continentur? aut quem ad tuam dulce- dinem non ducas invitum, cuius probavimus animum ineffabili caritate profusum? qua autem illud admiratione complectar, cum te sic video cunctos diligere, ac si unum- quemque de proprio visus sis latere generasse? (3) Quis vero filiorum superbus esse desideret, ubi te patrem et doctorem tantae humilitatis agnoscit? aut, quamvis summo nobilitatis descendat de culmine, cum te sic respicit supplicem, non se tuis vestigiis in terra provolutus extendit? vere dico: si tumidum superbia deicit, vos mul- tum est laudabilis humilitas quod erigit. quis denique illic esse possit iracundus aut turbidus, ubi sacerdos et pontifex tam placidus es inventus? seit enim totus sine ra- pacitate grex vivere ubi vivendi tranquillitas discitur a pastore. (4) Quid de rebus reliquis referam? in quibus te sic inpendis in singulis, ut lauderis in cunctis; quae tamen etsi imitari non possumus, vel vidisse quod imitari deceat congaudemus. (5) Quapropter dominationi et sanctitati vestrae peculiariter me commendans rogo et obtestor (sic ille domnus meus Martinus sua intercessione obtineat, ut cum ipso iuxta merita vestra in luce perpetua vos conlocet divina misericordia) , ut pro me humili filio et servo vestro ad eius beatum sepulcrum orare digneris et pro peccatorum meo- rum remissione pius intercessor accedas. (6) Eos vero qui vestri sunt omnes dom- nos et dulces meos reverenter saluto : domnum meum per omnia dulcissimum, filium vestrum Aventium pro me multipliciter supplico salutari. domno meo Felici episcopo, si per vos venit, me benigno animo commendari deposco. ora pro me.