Letter 7009: Item ad Lupum ducem

IX Likewise, to Duke Lupus Intent upon dutiful offices, mindful of one who loves you, ready through your affection to look after me, you who have most dearly pitied an absent friend too much, when love seeks out signs of him in a hidden place: from what merits of mine is it granted that the kindly care of Lupus should at once be the hope of Fortunatus? An exile from Italy, I am now turned, I think, into my ninth year, where the swell of the Ocean borders the shore. So many seasons flee away, and still, through the writings of my kinsfolk, no single line has revived me from those who are shut off from me. What a father and a mother, a brother, a sister, the line of nephews, what my native region could do, you fulfill with dutiful love. A charming page, sent kindly under your name, has revived me with the waters of a nectar-bearing spring. And not only did your sweet letter cherish me, but, sent further on the matter, behold, the bearer himself has come. Who, I ask, will be able, mindful, to recount with his mouth so many gifts? The tongue cannot unfold so sweet an affection. But may the heavenly King restore to you all things from on high, He who teaches that what is done to the least is done to His own.

IX Item ad Lupum ducem Officiis intente piis, memorator amantis, prompte per affectum consuliture tuum, carius absentis nimium miseratus amici, quando latente loco signa requirit amor: unde meis meritis datur hoc, ut protinus esset spes Fortunati cura benigna Lupi? exul ab Italia nono, puto, volvor in anno litoris Oceani contiguante salo: tempora tot fugiunt et adhuc per scripta parentum nullus ab exclusis me recreavit apex. quod pater ac genetrix, frater, soror, ordo nepotum, quod poterat regio, solvis amore pio. pagina blanda tuo sub nomine missa benigne nectarei fontis me recreavit aquis. nec solum a vobis me dulcis epistula fovit, missus adhuc in rem portitor ecce venit. munera quis poterit, rogo, tot memor ore referre? affectum dulcem pandere lingua nequit. sed tibi restituat rex cuncta supernus ab alto, quae minimis fiunt qui docet esse suum.