Letter 9006: Ad Gregorium episcopum pro metris Sapphicis

VI To Bishop Gregory, concerning Sapphic meters With mighty eloquence your letter arrived in its course, but it chose to come slow to my longing. Yet it gave no offense, although, having tarried, it seeks out the man whom it holds bound fast with a mind that ties him close. For I long that you, by your teaching, may restore such a Gregory as was that one of Nazianzus [Gregory of Nazianzus], O father seated on your see. Whatever you enjoined, father, behold, I have sent the poems, and they will profit me if they please you, dear one. You also command this, that I should send back Sapphic meters: grant pardon, while the harvest of my small field presses upon me. While I reap, grant a span of time: I shall soon make ready to obey you; if I am filled with the fruit, perchance I shall sing better things. If I am able to compose them, I shall send the little book along with its meter; receive it in that spirit of devotion which love dictates to you.

VI Ad Gregorium episcopum pro metris Sapphicis Pollente eloquio pervenit epistula cursu, sed voluit voto tarda venire meo. nec tamen offendit, quamvis remorata requirit, quem tenet adstrictum mente ligante virum. .cum cupiam, talem qualis fuit ille Nazanzo Gregorium ut repares dogmate, sede parens. quaeque iniunxisti, pater, ecce poemata misi, et mihi proficient si tibi, care, placent. hoc mandas etiam quo Sapphica metra remittam: da veniam, modici dum seges urguet agri. dum meto, da spatium: tibi mox parere parabo; si saturer fructu, fors meliora cano. condere si valeo, cum metro mitto libellum; quae cape tu voto quo tibi dictat amor.