Letter 3026: Ad Rucconem diaconum, modo presbyterum

26. To Rucco the deacon, now a presbyter [priest]. O good Rucco, powerful minister of the Lord's altar, from here I send you in haste this work of greeting. The swelling expanse of the Ocean sea flows around us, and Paris too holds you, dear companion; the Seine detains you, while the British wave girds us about: one love binds us, divided though we are by lands. No fury of the sea withdraws that face of yours from me, nor does the north wind carry off your name, my friend. So often, lover that you are, you come running back beneath our breast, as often as the wave of the sea is wont to do in the season of winter. As the sea is shaken whenever the east wind has blown upon it, even so my spirit does not stand thus without you, dear one. A coaxing tempest seethes within my breast, now made serene, and draws me to you with its shifting motion. But be mindful of me, and repay with a vow him who asks it, that God may grant his gifts equally to equals, whereby the grace of Christ may enrich the human mind, and our senses and our lips may be free for the Lord.

XXVI Ad Rucconem diaconum, modo presbyterum Altaris domini pollens , bone Rucco, minister, hinc tibi festinus mando salutis opus. nos maris Oceani tumidum circumfluit aequor, te quoque Parisius, care sodalis, habet; Sequana te retinet, nos unda Britannica cingit: divisos terris alligat unus amor. non furor hic pelagi vultum mihi subtrahit illum nec boreas aufert nomen, amice, tuum. pectore sub nostro tam saepe recurris amator, tempore sub hiemis quam solet unda maris. ut quatitur pelagus quotiens proflaverit eurus, stat neque sic animus te sine, care, meus. blanda serenato tempestas pectore fervet atque ad te varia mobilitate trahit. sed memor esto mei votumque repende petenti, ut pariter paribus det sua dona deus, humanam mentem Christi quo gratia ditet ac domino nostro sensus et ora vacent.