Letter 8006: If the seasons were bringing me white lilies as usual

From: Venantius Fortunatus, poet, in Poitiers To: Queen Radegund, at Holy Cross monastery, Poitiers Date: ~576 AD Context: A charming verse letter accompanying a gift of violets sent to Radegund, one of many small poetic gifts exchanged between the poet and his royal patron. If the seasons were bringing me white lilies as usual or if the rose were lovely with its sweet red — I would gather these from the countryside or a poor man's turf and send them, woven into garlands, to you. But since winter has locked away the flowers, I send you these few violets that I found growing against a sheltered wall, improbable and stubborn, purple against the cold. They are a small gift. They are the best I can do in a season that has not cooperated with my intentions. But perhaps there is something right about violets for you — they are modest flowers, not the flamboyant rose, not the stately lily, but something quieter and more determined. They grow where they are not expected. They smell better than they look. They keep appearing no matter how many times winter comes. I think you would like them on their own account, apart from the old man who picked them and sent them. But I add myself to the bouquet regardless. Your Fortunatus

VI Ad eandem de violis Tempora si solito mihi candida lilia ferrent aut speciosa foret suave rubore rosa, haec ego rure legens aut caespite pauperis horti misissem magnis munera parva libens. sed quia prima mihi desunt, vel solvo secunda: profert qui vicias, ferret amore rosas. inter odoriferas tamen has quas misimus herbas purpureae violae nobile germen habent. respirant pariter regali murice tinctae et saturat foliis hinc odor, inde decor. hae quod utrumque gerunt pariter habeatis utraque, et sit mercis odor flore perenne decus.