Letter 5008: 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 your having recalled the day for the citizens and homeland. I commend the present servant with me to you, bishop — praying that you may long guide your flock. [To the same:] Noble in holy duties, kindly father Gregory, who with a health-giving mind seek the stars openly — whoever is strengthened, unarmed, by your teachings will have the help of holy warfare as a victor. Commending my humble servant, I pay my greeting, always in devoted love — man blessed by God. If the page is short, the lover's ardor is not short: my heart cultivates more than my words can sing. [To the same, for a book lent:] Reading divine songs and storing them from your own heart, sharing with others, the palm becomes yours, father. These things too which you, shepherd, once bestowed upon the fold — paying back my thanks, I willingly and dutifully praise. May the lofty gifts of the Thunderer remain with you from here on, you who distributed sacred riches to the poor. When I am able to inquire about these — for so great a gift, then all the more may your grace sound from my mouth. I commend to you the present servant Prodomerus, highest bishop, as a suppliant, sweet and loving father. Granting him his due with the balance of a just scale, may the future palm grow for you in God's honor.

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.