Letter 3003: Ad eundem

To Euphronius, Bishop of Tours Though my tongue lies sluggish, without inspiration, and I cannot render worthy things to worthy men — still, kindly father, Euphronius, venerable priest of Christ, I want to offer you these small things. I owe you much; please accept a little gladly. May what your love produces be forgiven, I pray. The lamp of the Church flashes bright under your radiance; faith shines everywhere in the light of its bishop. Surpassing grace flourishes in your sincere heart — where there is no deceit, a true Israelite's strength. Your actions run blamelessly and happily: this path opens the way to heaven. You pour out the sweet words of conversation without flattery. Honey does not please me as much as your words. Whatever the mind holds, your serene tongue makes clear; under your heart, falsehood finds no place. You remain without bitterness in the simplicity of the dove [Matthew 10:16], and no serpent nurses its dark poison in you. If a stranger comes to you, you give him his beloved homeland back; through you, the exile possesses his own wealth here. If anyone is suffering injustice, no one leaves you sad — wiping away tears, you make them rejoice. Martin [Saint Martin, patron bishop of Tours] placed you in this seat by his merits; you were a worthy heir, keeping his commands. He holds heaven, giving all things through his generous prayer — imitate him and you will be joined to Christ. Your flock does not perish when it returns to your fold; the white fleece of the sheep loses nothing to thorns. The wolf cannot snatch its prey when the shepherd is vigilant, but is driven off and retreats without ravaging the flocks. May this light remain with you, venerable father, for many long years, and may the coming days bring yet brighter things.

III Ad eundem Quamvis pigra mihi iaceat sine fomite lingua nec valeam dignis reddere digna viris, attamen, alme pater, Christi venerande sacerdos Eufroni, cupio solvere parva tibi. debeo multa quidem, sed suscipe pauca libenter: sit veniale precor quod tuus edit amor. ecclesiae lampas sub te radiante coruscat, lumine pontificis fulget ubique fides; gratia praecellens sincero in pectore vernat, quo nullus dolus est, Israhelita vires; inmaculata tibi feliciter actio currit: ut penetres caelos, haec via pandit iter. dulcia conloquii sine fuco dicta refundis: non sic mella mihi quam tua verba placent; quidquid habet sensus, hoc lingua serena relaxat: pectore sub vestro fraus loca nulla tenet, qui sine felle manes in simplicitate columbae, nec serpens in te dira venena fovet. advena si veniat, patriam tu reddis amatam et per te proprias hic habet exul opes; si quis iniqua gemit, tristis hinc nemo recedit, sed lacrimas removens laetificare facis. Martinus meritis hac vos in sede locavit: dignus eras heres qui sua iussa colis. ille tenet caelum largo dans omnia voto: iunctus eris Christo hunc imitando virum. non perit hic vestrum qui grex ad ovile recurrit, candida nec spinis vellera perdit ovis, non lupus ore rapit praedam pastore vigente, sed fugit exclusus non lacerando greges. haec tibi lux maneat longos, venerande, per annos atque futura dies lucidiora ferat.