Letter 3022: Ad eundem

XXII To the same man We have obeyed your commands, holy and venerable priest and father, sweet Avitus, your orders. With light chatter our Muse rather shrills like a reed-pipe than pleases with clear melody; yet, that you may grant pardon, lover of piety, attend to the homage and do not weigh the wisdom of it. In return for a great gift, modest as I am, I pay these little trifles: let it be measured by the intent. There is one whose tongue is unpolished. Likewise to the same man What honor the lofty faith of virtues deserves, you prove, highest of priests, sweet Avitus, you who, binding the souls of all in blessed love, draw captive hearts after yourself, dear father. Yet among those whom your sweetness has filled, I am carried, ready in affection, the greater portion. My sweet light, vigor of the fatherland, nourisher of the needy, hope of strangers, leader and honor of the fathers, if my voice were to sound forth a song with unbroken keenness, I would speak as less in your praise, father, but greater in love; yet this greatest occasion is given to our prayer: to recall your sacred name, O bounteous one. Likewise commended to the love of your piety are Agnes, with humble voice, together with Radegund in equal measure. May a bountiful life flourish for you, bringing health through the years, for whatever has been your well-being becomes mine, dear one.

XXII Ad eundem Paruimus iussis, sacer ac venerande sacerdos et pater, imperiis, dulcis Avite, tuis. garrulitate levi potius stridente cicuta quam placeat liquido nostra camena melo; sed tamen, ut veniam tribuas, pietatis amator intende obsequium nec trutinato sophum. munere pro magno modicus haec parvula solvo: pensetur votis. est cui lingua rudis. a Item ad eundem Virtutum quid celsa fides mereatur honoris, summe sacerdotum, dulcis Avite , probas , qui nectens animos cunctorum in amore beato post te, care pater, pectora capta trahis. sed tamen inter eos, tua quos dulcedo replevit, promptus in affectu portio maior agor. lumen dulce meum, patriae vigor, altor egentum. spes peregrinorum, ductor honorque patrum, si mea vox iugi resonaret acumine carmen, laude minor loquerer, maior amore, pater; maxima sed nostri datur haec occasio voti, vel memorare tuum nomen, opime, sacrum. commendantur item vestrae pietatis amori, Agnes voce humili cum Radegunde pari, larga salutiferos vigeat tibi vita per annos, nam tua quae fuerit fit mea, care, salus.