Letter 3013: Ad Vilicum episcopum Mettensem

To Bishop Vilicus of Metz [Mettis] With its dark-blue flood the Moselle spreads out its waters into the open sea, and the river gently stirs its vast streams; it laps the fragrant banks clothed in springtime grass, and the wave softly bathes the tresses of the plants. From here, on the right-hand side, flows the river called the Seille, but it draws its current with a poorer flood; where it enters the Moselle in its clear courses, it fills the strength of the other and itself perishes. In this place fair Metz is founded, gleaming, and rejoices that both its banks are beset with fish. The delightful countryside laughs with its blossoming fields; on this side you see the cultivated crops, but on that side you behold roses. You look out upon hills clothed with shady vines; the place contends in its varied fertility. A city well fortified, which a wall and a river encircle, you stand the stronger by the merit of your bishop: Vilicus, who serves so well in heavenly arms, prostrate upon the ground on his knees, raises you up by his own knees. Whence, lowly upon the earth, you cast yourself down, gracious priest, and by praying you lead your homeland's head to the stars; with constant weeping you obtain joys for the people: by the shepherd's tears the sheep are made glad. Although the wicked one threatens with feeble blows, they for whom you are a wall fear no wounds, and though the wolf lie in wait for the enclosed sheepfold, with you as guardian of the flock no plunderer does harm there. You delight the peoples with your countenance, calm and without a cloud, and your gentle grace warms the spirits of all; if a new guest should ask for aid, you hold out food to him. He finds his own household gods at your roof as well. While you satisfy the complaining one, the exile the more forgets those riches which he has within his native borders. From him who tells of his own losses you draw away the groans from his lips, and, restoring joys, you put to flight all that is sad. On this side you protect the naked, on that you feed the needy; the destitute man renders you nothing, but God renders you in love. You send your storehouses on ahead, keeping them better than if they were hoarded: the riches that you thus disperse, paradise gives back. You have renewed the rooftops of the temples, Vilicus, faithful tiller: when the Lord shall come, behold, your labor stands. I see that you have not buried the talent entrusted to you, but rather, well employed, the work is multiplied. May you carry through such worthy deeds over years extended yet longer, and may your name, generous one, remain forever. Likewise to the same Generous shepherd of the flock, your pastures profit all: you who satisfy souls, how well you nourish bodies! Thus you make your guests greedy for the nectar of milk, so that the dish takes away what the spoon is wont to do. Likewise to the same The sheep runs back, seeking from you its own pastures, shepherd: you who are wont to be food, give me the gift of bread. On the painting of a vine spoken concerning his table Among the interwoven vines a bird blossoms beneath the vine-shoot and lightly plucks with its beak the painted feast. The guest has merited to keep a manifold banquet: on this side he beholds grapes, on that he drinks Falernian wine. On the fish at his table Your nets, father, overflow with a heavy burden of fish. It appears that you have merited the office of Peter.

XIII Ad Vilicum episcopum Mettensem Gurgite caeruleo pelagus Mosella relaxat et movet ingentes molliter amnis aquas; lambit odoriferas vernanti gramine ripas et lavat herbarum leniter unda comas. hinc dextra de parte fluit qui Salia fertur, flumine sed fluctus pauperiore trahit; hic ubi perspicuis Mosellam cursibus intrat, alterius vires implet et ipse perit. hoc Mettis fundata loco speciosa coruscans piscibus obsessum gaudet utrumque latus. deliciosus ager ridet vernantibus arvis; hinc sata culta vides, cernis at inde rosas. prospicis umbroso vestitos palmite colles, certatur varia fertilitate locus. urbs munita nimis, quam cingit murus et amnis, pontificis merito stas valitura magis: Vilicus, aetheriis qui sic bene militat armis, stratus humi genibus te levat ille suis. unde humilis terris te proicis, alme sacerdos, orando hinc patriae ducis ad astra caput; fletibus adsiduis adquiris gaudia plebi: pastoris lacrimis laetificantur oves. ictibus invalidis quamvis minitetur iniquus, tu quibus es murus, vulnera nulla timent, et licet incluso lupus iusidietur ovili, te custode gregis nil ibi praedo nocet. oblectas populos vultu sine nube sereno cunctorumque animos gratia blanda fovet; si poscat novus hospes opem, tu porrigis escas. invenit et proprios ad tua tecta lares. dum satias querulum, magis obliviscitur illas quas habet in patriis finibus exul opes. qui sua damna refert, gemitus subducis ab ore, gaudia restituens tristia cuncta fugas. protegis hinc nudos, illinc tu pascis egentes; nil tibi reddit inops, reddit amore deus. horrea praemittis melius quam condita servans: quas sic diffundis dat paradisus opes. culmina templorum renovasti, Vilice cultor: cum veniet dominus, stat labor ecce tuus. commissum video non suffodisse talentum, sed magis aptatum multiplicatur opus. longius extensos peragas tam digna per annos et maneat semper nomen, opime, tuum. a Item ad eundem Pastor opime gregis, cunctis tua pabula prosunt: qui satias animas, quam bene membra foves! sic avidos reddis convivas nectare lactis, ut scutella levet quod cocleare solet. b Item ad eundem Currit ovis repetens a te sua pascua, pastor: qui cibus esse soles, da mihi panis opem. c De pictura vitis in mensa eius dictum Vitibus intextis ales sub palmite vernat et leviter pictas carpit ab ore dapes. multiplices epulas meruit conviva tenere: aspicit hinc uvas, inde Falerna bibit. d De piscibus in mensa eius Retia vestra, pater, oneroso pisce redundant. apparet Petri vos meruisse vices.