Letter 8: Although we were not expecting it, yet were certainly longing for it, your old courier delivered your letter -- a...

Sidonius to his lord and bishop Principius, greeting. 1. Although we were not expecting it, yet we were longing for it, when our old courier delivered your letter. He has proved suitable, one to whom the same duties may rightly be entrusted again, since he discharged the first so well. And so, having been granted a second address, or rather a second blessing, I too repay it with another greeting, pairing my services in numbers that are equal, though not equal in merit. 2. And since, my lord bishop, we now live with our souls joined, while we are held back from enjoying one another's company and the sight of each other because our regions and our dwellings are separated and set apart by distance, pray that, when by a desirable and devout departure we have finished with the anguishes and the burden of this present life, and when the holy day of judgment has dawned together with the resurrection, we may be joined to your ranks to serve you, even if it be by the condition of a servitude such as the Gibeonites'. For according to the heavenly promises, which have pledged that the sons of God shall be gathered from the nations, if forgiveness consoles us who are guilty, while glory awaits you who are blessed, then even though we may be divided by the difference of our deeds, we shall nevertheless not be divided by distance of place. Deign to be mindful of us, my lord bishop.

EPISTULA VIII Sidonius domino papae Principio salutem. 1. Quamquam nobis non opinantibus, desiderantibus tamen litteras tuas reddidit gerulus antiquus, idoneus inventus, cui iure repetita credantur officia, quandoquidem prima sic detulit. igitur affatu secundo vel potius benedictione donatus ipse quoque rependo alterum salve, obsequia combinans numeris aequata, non meritis. 2. et quia, domine papa, modo vivimus <animis> iunctis abiunctisque regionibus conspectibusque mutuis frui dissociatae situ habitationis inhibemur, orate, ut optabili religiosoque decessu vitae praesentis angoribus atque onere perfuncti, cum iudicii dies sanctus offulserit cum resurrectione, agminibus vestris famulaturi vel sub Gabaoniticae servitutis occasione iungamur; quia secundum promissa caelestia, quae spoponderunt filios dei de nationibus congregandos, si nos reos venia soletur, dum vos beatos gloria manet, etsi per actionum differentiam, non tamen per locorum distantiam dividemur. memor nostri esse dignare, domine papa.