Letter 7020: Ad Sigimundum

Venantius FortunatusPrince Sigismund|c. 586 AD|Venantius Fortunatus
friendship

XX. Ad Sigimundum
To Sigismund

To my dearest Sigismund, worthy to be proclaimed for every grace — Fortunatus sends greetings.

Fixed in love for you, standing with my prayers gaping for news — how you are, dear one, I often ask of men. Every traveler who comes hurrying from the northern axis [from the Frankish north, where Sigismund was] — however much he is in a hurry, I delay him by questioning; whether private or public business speeds the man, none will leave from here before I have interrogated him.

How strong are you in body? What places hold you, dear? Tell me in order all that is happening with you. I know you think of me too — but are you well? What occupies your days?

Write to me. Every letter that comes from your direction is a gift larger than it looks.

Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.

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