Letter 5009: Ad eundem pro invitatione

IX To the same man, concerning an invitation You invite me with a father's devotion, holy Gregory, you who as bishop feed the Lord's flocks at Tours with love. The holy prelate Martin, rich in merits, has yielded to you those sheep which he formerly possessed. Now too, governing them duly through the sheepfolds and flowering pastures of Christ, you both lead the flocks. But your brother, by way of honor, just now did me violence and turned my journey back, so that I should not hasten to you, often entreating me with a vow, with a charge, and with a message dispatched in words; and, bound by oath, I gave him my promise. He is a man pleasing in his goodness, a shepherd who loves peace: for the sake of zeal for the bond between us, let it be pardonable, I pray. Your own daughters too, venerable one, send their greetings; but as for me, let me be commended, I beg, blessed father.

IX Ad eundem pro invitatione Invitas pietate patris sacer ire Gregori qua domini Turonis pascis amore greges. quo sacer antistes meritis Martinus opimis quas prius obtinuit, has tibi cessit oves. nunc quoque per caulas et florea pascua Christi rite gubernantes ducitis ambo greges. sed mihi vim faciens vester modo frater honore, ad vos ne properem nempe, retorsit iter, saepe rogans voto, mandato et missile verbo; et coniuratus sum sibi pollicitus. vir bonitate placens et pastor pacis amator: foederis ob studium sit veniale, precor. vos quoque sed genitae propriae, venerande, salutant, ast ego commender, quaeso, beate pater.