VIII. Item ad eundem in laude
More Praise of Felix, Bishop of Nantes
A festive day has dawned, and joy compels me — since the people could speak, I will speak alone for love's sake.
Though the Armoric region [Brittany and western Gaul] is at the far edge of the world, it is seen to be first by the merit of Felix. East and West have sent equal gifts: the East shines with the rays of the sun, the West shines with yours. Each provides his particular brightness: you bring light to the Ocean as the sun brings it to the Red Sea. And if understanding shines like a bright lamp, your intellect holds the quality of light.
Most noble lineage, adorned with ancient titles, whose lofty glory rings out from your ancestors — for whoever has held power in Aquitanian [the rich province of southwestern Gaul] lands, he sprang as parent from your blood's light. Venerable peak of an ancient race in this world, in whose praise all honor takes its place — flower of your family, guardian of your homeland, corrector of the people; river of eloquence, fountain of wit, flowing speech; path of learning, justice of causes, boundary of anger — a new Rome has come here into your genius. (What Rome could have taught through many, Gaul is content with you as its own citizen.)
You wear ornaments shining with a double gift, and each — your work and your lineage — celebrates you. But though you once shone with earthly nobility, you now govern the Church with a nobler hope. Diligently cultivating the Church for its adornment, you have given many splendid gifts to God. You married the Church, joined blessed vows — you who fill this matron with a powerful dowry, in whose embrace you lead a life without reproach, and no other woman has been received in your heart. You keep her in your eyes, your mind, your chaste heart: the chaster your love makes you, the chaster she remains for you.
She bore you children, yet is a virgin in body — she poured out a people from your beloved embrace. Look at your children taken from this divine bride, who now rejoice that a father's shadow covers them.
For the safety of the flock, you run as shepherd through the crossroads; with the wolf driven out, the sheep is kept safe. You remove the British raiders with watchful cunning — what your tongue accomplishes, no arms can do.
You are food for the fasting, bread for the hungry — whoever desires anything for himself, here sees his prayers answered. You store your own wealth in the mouth of the poor, depositing lavish resources in the belly of the beggar. When Christ comes to judgment, that purse will give back everything before the judge's face.
May your salvation remain firm for you through many long years — forever Felix in name, heart, and faith.
VIII
Item ad eundem in laude
Inluxit festiva dies, me gaudia cogunt,
ut quod plebs poterat, solus amore loquar.
ultima quamvis sit regio Armoricus in orbe,
Felicis merito cernitur esse prior.
miserunt similes Oriens et Gallia sortes:
illa micat radiis solis et ista tuis:
nam splendore novo sua munera quisque ministrat:
tu fers Oceano lumen et ille rubro;
denique si sensus clara pro lampade fulget,
ingenium vestrum luminis instar habet,
maxima progenies, titulis ornata vetustis,
cuius et a proavis gloria celsa tonat:
nam quicumque potens Aquitanica rura subegit,
extitit ille tuo sanguine luce parens.
germinis antiqui venerabile culmen in orbe,
laudibus in cuius militat omne decus,
flos generis, tutor patriae , correctio plebis,
eloquii flumen, fons salis, unda loquax,
semita doctrinae, ius causae, terminus irae,
cuius in ingenium hic nova Roma venit
(illic quod poterat per plures illa docere,
te contenta suo Gallia cive placet),
ornamenta geris gemino fulgentia dono,
et te concelebrant hinc opus, inde genus.
sed qui terrena de nobilitate nitebas,
ecclesiam nunc spe nobiliore regis.
cuius ad ornatum bone cultor iugiter instans.
ut iam multa deo splendida dona dares,
nupsisti ecclesiae, felicia vota iugasti,
hanc qui matronam dote potente reples;
cuius in amplexu ducis sine crimine vitam,
altera nec mulier corde recepta fuit.
hanc oculis, animo retines et corde pudico:
unde tibi nupsit, castior inde manet.
illa tibi prolem peperit, sed corpore virgo.
et populum gremio fudit amata tuo.
ecce tuos natos divina ex coniuge sumptos,
et modo te gaudent quos patris umbra tegit.
proque salute gregis pastor per conpita curris,
exclusoque lupo tuta tenetur ovis.
insidiatores removes vigil arte Britannos:
nullius arma valent quod tua lingua facit.
tu quoque ieiunis cibus es, tu panis egenti:
quae sibi quisque cupit, hic sua vota videt.
divitias proprias in pauperis ore recondis,
largas mendici ventre reponis opes.
tempore quo veniet Christus, tunc omnia vobis
iudicis in facie sacculus iste refert.
sit tibi fixa salus numerosos ampla per annos,
perpetuo Felix nomine mente fide.
◆
VIII. Item ad eundem in laude More Praise of Felix, Bishop of Nantes
A festive day has dawned, and joy compels me — since the people could speak, I will speak alone for love's sake.
Though the Armoric region [Brittany and western Gaul] is at the far edge of the world, it is seen to be first by the merit of Felix. East and West have sent equal gifts: the East shines with the rays of the sun, the West shines with yours. Each provides his particular brightness: you bring light to the Ocean as the sun brings it to the Red Sea. And if understanding shines like a bright lamp, your intellect holds the quality of light.
Most noble lineage, adorned with ancient titles, whose lofty glory rings out from your ancestors — for whoever has held power in Aquitanian [the rich province of southwestern Gaul] lands, he sprang as parent from your blood's light. Venerable peak of an ancient race in this world, in whose praise all honor takes its place — flower of your family, guardian of your homeland, corrector of the people; river of eloquence, fountain of wit, flowing speech; path of learning, justice of causes, boundary of anger — a new Rome has come here into your genius. (What Rome could have taught through many, Gaul is content with you as its own citizen.)
You wear ornaments shining with a double gift, and each — your work and your lineage — celebrates you. But though you once shone with earthly nobility, you now govern the Church with a nobler hope. Diligently cultivating the Church for its adornment, you have given many splendid gifts to God. You married the Church, joined blessed vows — you who fill this matron with a powerful dowry, in whose embrace you lead a life without reproach, and no other woman has been received in your heart. You keep her in your eyes, your mind, your chaste heart: the chaster your love makes you, the chaster she remains for you.
She bore you children, yet is a virgin in body — she poured out a people from your beloved embrace. Look at your children taken from this divine bride, who now rejoice that a father's shadow covers them.
For the safety of the flock, you run as shepherd through the crossroads; with the wolf driven out, the sheep is kept safe. You remove the British raiders with watchful cunning — what your tongue accomplishes, no arms can do.
You are food for the fasting, bread for the hungry — whoever desires anything for himself, here sees his prayers answered. You store your own wealth in the mouth of the poor, depositing lavish resources in the belly of the beggar. When Christ comes to judgment, that purse will give back everything before the judge's face.
May your salvation remain firm for you through many long years — forever Felix in name, heart, and faith.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.