Letter 3013: Ad Vilicum episcopum Mettensem

To Vilicus, Bishop of Metz The Moselle [a major river of northeastern Gaul, flowing through modern Luxembourg and Germany to the Rhine] opens the sea in its blue flood and moves its great waters gently; it laps the fragrant banks with greening grass and its wave softly washes the hair of the herbs. On the right side flows the Seille [a tributary of the Moselle at Metz], though it carries a meaner current; where it enters the Moselle in its clear course, it fills up the other's strength and is itself absorbed. Here Metz [Augusta Treverorum's satellite city, now a major episcopal seat], founded in this spot, gleams beautifully, rejoicing in fish on both banks. The delightful fields laugh in their greening meadows; here you see cultivated crops, there roses. You look across hills clothed with shady vines — the place competes in varied fertility. The city is powerfully fortified, ringed by wall and river — but by the merit of its bishop it will stand stronger still. Vilicus, who serves God's army so well with heavenly arms, prostrates himself on the ground in prayer and lifts the city on his knees. By your humility you cast yourself on the ground, kindly bishop — but in prayer you carry your homeland's head to the stars. Through constant tears you acquire joys for your people: the shepherd's tears make his flock glad. Though the enemy threatens with feeble blows, those you are a wall for fear no wounds at all; and though a wolf lurks at the enclosed sheepfold, with you as guardian of the flock no plunderer does harm there. You delight your people with a serene, cloudless face, and your gentle grace nurtures everyone's spirit. If a new guest asks for help, you offer food; he finds his own hearth at your house. While you satisfy the complainer, he forgets all the more the property he had in his homeland that he now lives in exile from. You take the sighs from the mouth of one who reports his losses — restoring joy, you drive away all sadness. Here you protect the naked, there you feed the needy — the poor give you nothing back; God gives you love. You send your stores ahead rather than keeping them locked away: the wealth you scatter like this, paradise gives back. You have renewed the rooftops of the churches, Vilicus, diligent builder — when the Lord comes, your labor will stand. I see that the talent entrusted to you has not been buried [Matthew 25:18 — the servant who buried his talent rather than investing it], but rightly applied, the work multiplies. May you carry out such worthy acts through many more years, and may your name endure forever, excellent one. [Short sub-poems added to the same letter:] *To the same:* Good shepherd of your flock, your pasture profits all — you who feed souls, how well you feed bodies too! You serve your eager guests with the nectar of milk so that the bowl can ease what the spoon usually does. *To the same:* The sheep runs to find her pastures from you, shepherd — you who are accustomed to be food, give me the help of bread. *On a painting of a vine on his dining table:* A bird flourishes in the vine's shadow under the branch, and delicately plucks painted food from its beak. The dinner guest has earned his many courses: he sees grapes here and drinks Falernian wine there. *On fish at his table:* Your nets, father, overflow with heavy fish. It appears you have merited the office of Peter [the Apostle who was a fisherman — Matthew 4:18].

XIII Ad Vilicum episcopum Mettensem Gurgite caeruleo pelagus Mosella relaxat et movet ingentes molliter amnis aquas; lambit odoriferas vernanti gramine ripas et lavat herbarum leniter unda comas. hinc dextra de parte fluit qui Salia fertur, flumine sed fluctus pauperiore trahit; hic ubi perspicuis Mosellam cursibus intrat, alterius vires implet et ipse perit. hoc Mettis fundata loco speciosa coruscans piscibus obsessum gaudet utrumque latus. deliciosus ager ridet vernantibus arvis; hinc sata culta vides, cernis at inde rosas. prospicis umbroso vestitos palmite colles, certatur varia fertilitate locus. urbs munita nimis, quam cingit murus et amnis, pontificis merito stas valitura magis: Vilicus, aetheriis qui sic bene militat armis, stratus humi genibus te levat ille suis. unde humilis terris te proicis, alme sacerdos, orando hinc patriae ducis ad astra caput; fletibus adsiduis adquiris gaudia plebi: pastoris lacrimis laetificantur oves. ictibus invalidis quamvis minitetur iniquus, tu quibus es murus, vulnera nulla timent, et licet incluso lupus iusidietur ovili, te custode gregis nil ibi praedo nocet. oblectas populos vultu sine nube sereno cunctorumque animos gratia blanda fovet; si poscat novus hospes opem, tu porrigis escas. invenit et proprios ad tua tecta lares. dum satias querulum, magis obliviscitur illas quas habet in patriis finibus exul opes. qui sua damna refert, gemitus subducis ab ore, gaudia restituens tristia cuncta fugas. protegis hinc nudos, illinc tu pascis egentes; nil tibi reddit inops, reddit amore deus. horrea praemittis melius quam condita servans: quas sic diffundis dat paradisus opes. culmina templorum renovasti, Vilice cultor: cum veniet dominus, stat labor ecce tuus. commissum video non suffodisse talentum, sed magis aptatum multiplicatur opus. longius extensos peragas tam digna per annos et maneat semper nomen, opime, tuum. a Item ad eundem Pastor opime gregis, cunctis tua pabula prosunt: qui satias animas, quam bene membra foves! sic avidos reddis convivas nectare lactis, ut scutella levet quod cocleare solet. b Item ad eundem Currit ovis repetens a te sua pascua, pastor: qui cibus esse soles, da mihi panis opem. c De pictura vitis in mensa eius dictum Vitibus intextis ales sub palmite vernat et leviter pictas carpit ab ore dapes. multiplices epulas meruit conviva tenere: aspicit hinc uvas, inde Falerna bibit. d De piscibus in mensa eius Retia vestra, pater, oneroso pisce redundant. apparet Petri vos meruisse vices.