Letter 3021: To my holy lord, praiseworthy for his apostolic deeds, my dear lord, particularly sweet in Christ, Father Avitus...

21 To the holy lord, to be proclaimed for his apostolic deeds, the pious lord and one peculiarly sweet in Christ, to father Avitus the bishop, the humble Fortunatus. Intent upon pious duties, Avitus, father of the city, glory of bishops, and our exalted love, through whom the common people, the country, the stranger, and the guest are nourished, in whom each man receives all that he desires for himself: undeserving by my own work, I have earned the pious gifts of a patron, lest, while you feed the rest, you be forgetful of the least sheep. You who draw the flocks with your mouth to the eternal pastures of Christ, in what manner they may live from this is likewise your care. Your wing, ever present, protects even the absent: where you do not run on foot, you are wholly present by your gift. With your gifts Agnes and Radegund, praying, plead with the manifold kindling of their voice. Father on high, the talents are to be sent ahead, penetrating to the heavens, which, tended a hundredfold, you may reap in their own season. Through the Lord and the good king I pray, courtly prelate, that you, kindly one, be mindful of your Fortunatus.

XXI Domino sancto atque apostolicis actibus praeconando, domno pio et peculiariter dulci in Christo, patri Avito papae Fortunatus humilis Officiis intente piis, pater urbis Avite, gloria pontificum, noster et altus amor, per quem plebs, regio, peregrinus et hospes aluntur, in quo cuncta capit quae sibi quisque cupit: ex opere inmeritus merui pia dona patroni. ne minimam pascens inmemor esses ovem. qui trahis ore greges aeterna ad pabula Christi, qualiter hinc vivant est quoque cura tui. semper et absentes praesens tua protegit ala: quo pede non curris, munere totus ades. muneribus vestris Agnes aut Radegundis multiplici orantes fomite vocis agunt. ad caelos penetranda seras, pater alte, talenta, quae centena suo tempore culta metas. per dominum regemque bonum precor, aulice praesul, ut Fortunati sis memor, alme, tui.