Letter 3003: Ad eundem

III To the same man Although my sluggish tongue lies without kindling, and I have no power to render worthy things to worthy men, nevertheless, nurturing father, venerable priest of Christ, Eufronius, I desire to discharge to you these small offerings. I owe much indeed, but accept these few gladly: let it be pardonable, I pray, what your love brings forth. The lamp of the church gleams beneath you as you shine; everywhere the faith blazes by the light of its bishop. Surpassing grace flourishes in your sincere breast, in which there is no guile - an Israelite [a true son of Israel] in strength. Your unblemished conduct runs on happily: that you may pierce the heavens, this way opens the road. You pour forth the sweet sayings of conversation without disguise: honey does not please me so much as your words. Whatever the mind holds, your serene tongue releases it; beneath your breast deceit holds no place, you who remain without bitterness in the simplicity of the dove, nor does the serpent foster its dread venoms in you. If a stranger should come, you restore his beloved homeland to him, and through you the exile here possesses his own riches. If anyone laments unjust things, no one departs sad from here, but, wiping away the tears, you cause him to be gladdened. Martinus [Saint Martin of Tours] by his merits placed you in this seat: you were a worthy heir, you who cultivate his commands. He holds heaven, granting all things by his abundant prayer: you will be joined to Christ by imitating this man. None of your flock perishes here that runs back to the fold, nor does the white sheep lose its fleece on the thorns, nor does the wolf seize its prey in its jaws while the shepherd is vigilant, but, shut out, it flees without tearing the flocks. May this light remain for you, venerable one, through long years, and may the days to come bring brighter ones.

III Ad eundem Quamvis pigra mihi iaceat sine fomite lingua nec valeam dignis reddere digna viris, attamen, alme pater, Christi venerande sacerdos Eufroni, cupio solvere parva tibi. debeo multa quidem, sed suscipe pauca libenter: sit veniale precor quod tuus edit amor. ecclesiae lampas sub te radiante coruscat, lumine pontificis fulget ubique fides; gratia praecellens sincero in pectore vernat, quo nullus dolus est, Israhelita vires; inmaculata tibi feliciter actio currit: ut penetres caelos, haec via pandit iter. dulcia conloquii sine fuco dicta refundis: non sic mella mihi quam tua verba placent; quidquid habet sensus, hoc lingua serena relaxat: pectore sub vestro fraus loca nulla tenet, qui sine felle manes in simplicitate columbae, nec serpens in te dira venena fovet. advena si veniat, patriam tu reddis amatam et per te proprias hic habet exul opes; si quis iniqua gemit, tristis hinc nemo recedit, sed lacrimas removens laetificare facis. Martinus meritis hac vos in sede locavit: dignus eras heres qui sua iussa colis. ille tenet caelum largo dans omnia voto: iunctus eris Christo hunc imitando virum. non perit hic vestrum qui grex ad ovile recurrit, candida nec spinis vellera perdit ovis, non lupus ore rapit praedam pastore vigente, sed fugit exclusus non lacerando greges. haec tibi lux maneat longos, venerande, per annos atque futura dies lucidiora ferat.