Letter 1014: I have sent the horse you requested: gentle in temperament, strong in limbs, solid in build, handsome in form,...

14. Ruricius to Celsus, the man of his heart. I have dispatched a horse such as you had ordered: gentle in its tameness, strong in limb, firm in vigor, outstanding in form, well put together in build, even in temper, neither too hasty in its swiftness nor sluggish in slowness; one for which the bridle and the spur is the will of the rider, one for which, in carrying a burden, both the willingness and the capacity are available in equal measure, so that it neither gives way under what is placed upon it nor sets down what has been imposed. These things, then, having been conveyed as was fitting, with a greeting set first and our promise paid out, we now demand what was promised: that, with God's favor, you may deign to come to us together with your sister for the festival of the saints, about to render honor to our patrons, affection to the brothers, and gracious favor to the people.

XIIII. DOMNO PECTORIS SUI CELSO RURICIUS. Equum, qualem iusseras, destinaui mansuetudine placidum, membris ualidum, firmum robore, forma praestantem, factura conpositum, animis temperatum nec praeproperum scilicet uelocitate nec pigrum (tarditate), cui frenus et stimulus sit sedentis arbitrium, cui ad euehendum onus et uelle suppetat pariter et posse, ita ut nec cedat superposito nec deponat inpositum. his itaque, sicut oportuit, intimatis, salutatione praelata, pollicitatione dispensa promissa deposcimus, ut ad sollemnitatem sanctorum ad nos deo propitio una cum sorore uestra uenire dignemini honorem patronis, fratribus affectum, gratiam populis praestituri.