Letter 7001: While Orpheus moved the tuned strings with his thumb

To Gogo While Orpheus moved the tuned strings with his thumb and the words gave sound as the plectrum struck the threads, soon the resounding lyre touched the woods with sweetness and drew the beasts with love to the cithara's song. From every side the does came, their dens left empty; the tiger herself came too, her fury set aside. The nightingale, roused by the melody, flew far and long, the weary bird ran on, heedless of her young — yet though she had tired her wings over a great distance, arriving at her desire, the bird found herself renewed. So too, captivated by your sweetness, Gogo, the far-traveled pilgrim approaches your distant realm. From every direction all come rushing the more eagerly, for your tongue draws them as Orpheus drew with his lyre. The weary exile himself, once he has arrived here, is healed by you and freed from what had pained him before. You draw forth groans from the afflicted and plant joys in their place; and lest these wither, you nourish them with the rain of your speech. You build honeycombs with your words, serving fresh honey, and in the nectar of sweet eloquence you surpass the bees. From your rich spring a powerful grace of lips flows, from whose hidden source a voice pours forth to feast upon. With ever-wakeful mind, rich prudence reigns in you, in whose hidden depths a wave of wit swims. With the brilliance of your soul you cast rays from your breast, and an inner light shines forth, rivaling the day. By turns the sun and clouds may fill the world, but your heart holds a perpetual serene day. With a willing heart you are held a temple of piety, and a house built for sacred gifts. Your handsome form gleams with its own splendor, so that your very face attests to the quality of your mind. Every kind of praise you encompass in a single appearance, nor is there anything more than what your form conveys. By the judgment of King Sigibert you are held great: no one can deceive the judgment of the king. The wise man chose the wise, the loving chose the lover, just as a skilled bee selects the finest flowers. From his merit you learned to be held in such regard, and you, faithful servant, reflect your lord's character. Recently, from the Spanish lands through many dangers, you brought the greatest joys to our excellent king. You love him as greatly as the blessings you have won: no one could achieve by arms what your tongue has given. Even if I were silent of these virtues, my very silence would praise you, and you need not look for words when you hold my heart. I sing true things with good will, and no charge of flattery condemns me; I speak with the people as my witness: I shall be free of blame. May this lofty praise rise for you into long years; may this life preserve you long, and the life to come embrace you.

I Ad Gogonem Orpheus orditas moveret dum pollice chordas verbaque percusso pectine fila darent, mox resonante lyra tetigit dulcedine silvas, ad citharae cantus traxit amore feras. undique miserunt vacuata cubilia dammas, deposita rabie tigris et ipsa venit. sollicitante melo nimio filomela volatu, pignora contemnens fessa cucurrit avis: sed quamvis longo spatio lassaverat alas, ad votum veniens se recreavit avis. sic stimulante tua captus dulcedine, Gogo, longa peregrinus regna viator adit. undique festini veniant ut promptius omnes, sic tua lingua trahit sicut et ille lyra. ipse fatigatus huc postquam venerit exul, antea quo doluit te medicante caret. eruis adflictis gemitus et gaudia plantas; ne tamen arescant, oris ab imbre foves. aedificas sermone favos nova mella ministrans, dulcis et eloquii nectare vincis apes. ubere fonte rigat labiorum gratia pollens, cuius ab arcano vox epulanda fluit. pervigili sensu dives prudentia regnat, fomite condito cui salis unda natat; qui fulgore animi radios a pectore vibras, et micat interior lux imitata diem. sed vicibus mundum modo sol modo nubila complent: at tua semper habent corda serena diem. visceribus promptis templum pietatis haberis muneribusque sacris es fabricata domus. forma venusta tibi proprio splendore coruscat, ut mentis habitum vultus et ipse probet, omne genus laudum specie concludis in una, nec plus est aliquid quam tua forma gerit. principis arbitrio Sigibercthi magnus haberis: iudicium regis fallere nemo potest. elegit sapiens sapientem et amator amantem, ac veluti flores docta sequestrat apes. illius ex merito didicisti talis haberi, et domini mores serve benigne refers, nuper ab Hispanis per multa pericula terris egregio regi gaudia summa vehis. diligis hunc tantum quantum meliora parasti: nemo armis potuit quod tua lingua dedit. haec bona si taceam, te nostra silentia laudant, nec voces spectes qui mea corda tenes. vera favendo cano neque me fallacia damnat, teste loquor populo: crimine liber ero. haec tibi longinquos laus ardua surgat in annos, haec te vita diu servet et illa colat.