Letter 3008: Item ad eundem in laude

VIII Likewise to the same man, in his praise The festive day has shone forth; joys compel me, so that what the people could express, I alone may speak out of love. Although Armorica [Brittany] is the remotest region in the world, it is seen to be foremost by the merit of Felix. The East and Gaul have cast similar lots: the one gleams with the rays of the sun, and this one with yours; for each ministers its own gifts with a new splendor: you bring light to the Ocean, and that one to the Red Sea. In short, if good sense shines bright in place of a lamp, your genius has the likeness of light—a most great lineage, adorned with ancient titles, whose lofty glory thunders even from forebears; for whoever in power subdued the Aquitanian lands, he stood forth as a parent in the light of your blood. A venerable summit of ancient stock in the world, in whose praises every grace does service—flower of your race, guardian of the fatherland, corrector of the people, a river of eloquence, a fountain of wit, a speaking wave, a path of doctrine, justice for a lawsuit, an end to wrath—into whose talent this new Rome came (since what she could teach there through many men, contented with you Gaul is pleased with her own citizen): you bear ornaments shining with a twin gift, and both your work on the one hand and your lineage on the other celebrate you together. But you who used to shine with earthly nobility now rule the Church with a nobler hope. As her good cultivator, constantly pressing on toward her adornment, so that you might now give to God many splendid gifts, you wed the Church, you joined fortunate vows—you who fill this lady with a mighty dowry; in whose embrace you lead a life without blame, and no other woman has been received into your heart. You hold her with your eyes, your mind, and a chaste heart: the more chastely she wedded you, the more chaste she remains for you. She has borne offspring for you, yet a virgin in body, and, beloved, has poured forth a people into your bosom. Behold your children, taken from your divine spouse, and now they rejoice in you, whom a father's shadow protects. And for the welfare of the flock you, as shepherd, run through the crossroads, and, the wolf shut out, the sheep is kept safe. Watchful, by your skill you drive off the plotting Britons: no one's arms avail against what your tongue accomplishes. You too are food for the hungry, you are bread for the needy: what each man desires for himself, here he sees his own wishes fulfilled. You store up your own riches in the mouth of the poor man, you lay up generous wealth in the belly of the beggar. At the time when Christ shall come, then this little sack will render back all things to you before the face of the Judge. May ample salvation be fixed for you through numerous years, forever Felix [happy] in name, in mind, and in faith.

VIII Item ad eundem in laude Inluxit festiva dies, me gaudia cogunt, ut quod plebs poterat, solus amore loquar. ultima quamvis sit regio Armoricus in orbe, Felicis merito cernitur esse prior. miserunt similes Oriens et Gallia sortes: illa micat radiis solis et ista tuis: nam splendore novo sua munera quisque ministrat: tu fers Oceano lumen et ille rubro; denique si sensus clara pro lampade fulget, ingenium vestrum luminis instar habet, maxima progenies, titulis ornata vetustis, cuius et a proavis gloria celsa tonat: nam quicumque potens Aquitanica rura subegit, extitit ille tuo sanguine luce parens. germinis antiqui venerabile culmen in orbe, laudibus in cuius militat omne decus, flos generis, tutor patriae , correctio plebis, eloquii flumen, fons salis, unda loquax, semita doctrinae, ius causae, terminus irae, cuius in ingenium hic nova Roma venit (illic quod poterat per plures illa docere, te contenta suo Gallia cive placet), ornamenta geris gemino fulgentia dono, et te concelebrant hinc opus, inde genus. sed qui terrena de nobilitate nitebas, ecclesiam nunc spe nobiliore regis. cuius ad ornatum bone cultor iugiter instans. ut iam multa deo splendida dona dares, nupsisti ecclesiae, felicia vota iugasti, hanc qui matronam dote potente reples; cuius in amplexu ducis sine crimine vitam, altera nec mulier corde recepta fuit. hanc oculis, animo retines et corde pudico: unde tibi nupsit, castior inde manet. illa tibi prolem peperit, sed corpore virgo. et populum gremio fudit amata tuo. ecce tuos natos divina ex coniuge sumptos, et modo te gaudent quos patris umbra tegit. proque salute gregis pastor per conpita curris, exclusoque lupo tuta tenetur ovis. insidiatores removes vigil arte Britannos: nullius arma valent quod tua lingua facit. tu quoque ieiunis cibus es, tu panis egenti: quae sibi quisque cupit, hic sua vota videt. divitias proprias in pauperis ore recondis, largas mendici ventre reponis opes. tempore quo veniet Christus, tunc omnia vobis iudicis in facie sacculus iste refert. sit tibi fixa salus numerosos ampla per annos, perpetuo Felix nomine mente fide.