Letter 5003: Ad cives Turonicos de Gregorio episcopo

III To the citizens of Tours, concerning Bishop Gregory Applaud, you happy peoples, holding to your new prayers; at the coming of your bishop, render your vows to God. Let the lusty boy celebrate this, let bent old age celebrate this; let every man proclaim this common good. Behold, the hope of the flock comes, the father of the people, the lover of the city: let the sheep be gladdened by the gift of a shepherd. Let them behold that he whom favorable prayers sought with anxious eyes has come, and let them keep festal joys. Worthily and reverently he has obtained the rights of a priest, Gregory by name, shepherd of the flock in the city. Julianus [Saint Julian] sends to Martin [Saint Martin] his own foster-son, and offers to a brother what was sweet to himself. Him the kindly hand of the lord, father Aegidius, consecrated, that he might restore the people, whom Radegund may love. Him Sigibert rejoicing favors, and Brunhild [favors] his honor: by the king's judgment a noble height [of office] is present. Under his pasturing may the flocks be guided through holy pastures, and reap their gifts from a paradisal seed-shoot; may he, devout, keep the unspotted sheepfolds of Christ, lest they lie open to be torn apart by ravening wolves. With ever-watchful care may he govern the stable without blemish, and may no plunder burden the flock entrusted to him. May he fortify the lambs of precious fleece shut within, and may he himself, vigilant, protect them as they slumber. May the flowering vineyard grow fat under divine cultivation, and, ripe, be beautiful with its own cluster, that with eternal fruits it may fill the granaries of heaven, whence souls may drink streams from the living spring, lest thirst torment them: when Lazarus with moist finger was then entreated for aid, to soothe the fire. But rather may the shepherd lead his sheep, to be placed in the bosom of Abraham as it flourishes, up to the stars in a peaceful embrace, so that, the well-entrusted talent doubling itself, he may enter into the true joys of his Lord. Let him act joyfully under the key of Peter, through the doctrines of Paul, amid the starry choirs with shining light, where strong Athanasius and where renowned Hilary stand, rich Martin, and gentle Ambrose; Gregory shines, holy Augustine overflows, Basil glows red and Caesarius gleams. Following their deeds and faithfully fulfilling their words, may he, made a partaker of perpetual life, rejoice, and crowned with the worthy reward of his labors, may he, a soldier, obtain a place in the citadel of the King.

III Ad cives Turonicos de Gregorio episcopo Plaudite, felices populi, nova vota tenentes. praesulis adventu reddite vota deo. hoc puer exertus celebret, hoc curva senectus. hoc commune bonum praedicet omnis homo. spes gregis ecce venit, plebis pater, urbis amator: munere pastoris laetificentur oves. sollicitis oculis quem prospera vota petebant venisse aspiciant, gaudia festa colant. iura sacerdoti merito reverenter adeptus nomine Gregorius, pastor in urbe gregis. Martino proprium mittit Iulianus alumnum et fratri praebet quod sibi dulce fuit. quem patris Aegidii domino manus alma sacravit, ut populum recreet, quem Radegundis amet. huic Sigibercthus ovans favet et Brunichildis honori: iudicio regis nobile culmen adest. quo pascente greges per pascua sancta regantur et Paradisiaco germine dona metant, inmaculata pii qui servet ovilia Christi, ne pateant rabidis dilaceranda lupis. pervigili cura stabulum sine labe gubernet commissumque gregem nulla rapina gravet. muniat inclusos pretiosi velleris agnos atque soporantes protegat ipse vigil. florea divino pinguescat vinea cultu et matura suo sit speciosa botro, fructibus aeternis ut compleat horrea caeli, unde animae vivo fonte fluenta bibant, ne sitis excruciet: digito quam Lazarus udo ignem ut leniret, tunc petebatur opem. sed magis in gremio Abrahae vernante locandas pastor oves placido ducat ad astra sinu, ut bene commisso sese duplicante talento introeat domini gaudia vera sui. laetus agat sub clave Petri, per dogmata Pauli inter sidereos luce micante choros, fortis Athanasius, qua clarus Hilarius adstant, dives Martinus, suavis et Ambrosius, Gregorius radiat, sacer Augustinus inundat, Basilius rutilat Caesariusque micat. quorum gesta sequens et dicta fideliter implens perpetuae vitae participatus ovet, atque coronatus digna mercede laborum obtineat miles regis in arce locum.