VIII. Ad Gregorium episcopum post itiner
To Bishop Gregory After a Journey
Honored summit, holy adornment, rich light — pastor pleasing in love for the apostolic see, Gregory, sacred and lofty, always to be embraced by me and never separated in spirit, venerable man:
I rejoice that the bishop has returned to Tours with honor, and I am glad that you, my father, have come back to me. We applaud all together at holding our common prayer answered, and at you having recalled for the citizens and homeland its day of light. I commend the present servant with me to you, bishop — praying that you may long guide your flock.
[Sub-poem, to the same:]
Noble in holy duties, kindly father, adornment of your city,
light of the faith, my honor and my love, Gregory —
the whole flower of virtues gleams splendidly in you,
and you adorn the see of Martin [Tours, the city of Saint Martin] with a worthy successor.
I greet you, bishop, pastor of your flock, shepherd of your people:
may God preserve you in all safety through long years.
VIII
Ad Gregorium episcopum post itiner
Culmen honoratum, decus almum, lumen opimum,
pastor apostolicae sedis amore placens ,
amplectende mihi semper, sacer arce Gregori,
nec divulse animo, vir venerande, meo:
gaudeo quod rediit Turonis antistes honore
laetificorque mihi te remeasse patrem.
plaudimus instanter communia vota tenere,
civibus et patriae te revocasse diem.
praesentem famulum mecum commendo, sacerdos,
optantes longe vos moderare gregem.
a Ad eundem
Officiis generose piis, pater alme Gregori,
mente salutifera qui petis astra palam,
et quicumque tuis monitis animatur inermis.
militiae sacrae victor habebit opem;
commendans humilem famulum me solvo salutem
semper amore pio, vir benedicte deo.
pagina si brevis est, non est brevis ardor amantis,
nam plus corda colunt quam mea verba canunt.
b Ad eundem pro libro praestito
Carmina diva legens proprioque e pectore condens,
participans aliis fit tibi palma, parens.
haec quoque, quae pridem tribuisti pastor ovili,
grates persolvens debite laudo libens.
vos tamen hinc maneant donaria celsa tonantis,
qui sacras inopi distribuistis opes.
quae cum percontare queam, pro munere tanto
tunc magis ore meo gratia vestra sonet. –
praesentem famulum Prodomerem, summe sacerdos,
commendo supplex, dulcis amore pater.
cui sua concedens iustae moderamine librae
crescat honore dei palma futura tibi.
◆
VIII. Ad Gregorium episcopum post itiner To Bishop Gregory After a Journey
Honored summit, holy adornment, rich light — pastor pleasing in love for the apostolic see, Gregory, sacred and lofty, always to be embraced by me and never separated in spirit, venerable man:
I rejoice that the bishop has returned to Tours with honor, and I am glad that you, my father, have come back to me. We applaud all together at holding our common prayer answered, and at you having recalled for the citizens and homeland its day of light. I commend the present servant with me to you, bishop — praying that you may long guide your flock.
[Sub-poem, to the same:]
Noble in holy duties, kindly father, adornment of your city, light of the faith, my honor and my love, Gregory — the whole flower of virtues gleams splendidly in you, and you adorn the see of Martin [Tours, the city of Saint Martin] with a worthy successor. I greet you, bishop, pastor of your flock, shepherd of your people: may God preserve you in all safety through long years.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.