Letter 5008: Ad Gregorium episcopum post itiner

VIII To Bishop Gregory, after his journey Honored summit, kindly glory, abundant light, shepherd pleasing in your love of the apostolic see, ever to be embraced by me, holy Gregory in your high stronghold, nor ever torn away, O venerable man, from my heart: I rejoice that the bishop has returned to Tours in honor, and it gladdens me that you have come back to me as a father. We applaud with eagerness to hold our shared prayers fulfilled, and that you have recalled the day of joy for your citizens and homeland. This servant who is present I commend together with myself, O priest, praying that you may long govern your flock. a. To the same Noble in your dutiful offices, kindly father Gregory, you who openly seek the stars with a soul that brings salvation, and whoever, defenseless, is heartened by your admonitions will, as victor, possess the help of the sacred warfare; commending myself, your humble servant, I render my salutation always with devout love, O man blessed by God. If the page is brief, the ardor of the one who loves is not brief, for hearts cherish more than my words sing. b. To the same, for a book bestowed Reading the divine songs and composing them from your own breast, by sharing with others the palm of victory becomes yours, O parent. These too, which you formerly granted to your flock, O shepherd, rendering due thanks I gladly and willingly praise. From this, nevertheless, may the lofty gifts of the Thunderer await you, you who have distributed sacred riches to the poor. And when I am able to inquire into these things, then, for so great a gift, may your grace sound the more upon my lips. - This servant who is present, Prodomeris, O most exalted priest, I commend as a suppliant, sweet father in love. Granting to him his own due by the governance of a just balance, may the palm to come grow for you in the honor of God.

VIII Ad Gregorium episcopum post itiner Culmen honoratum, decus almum, lumen opimum, pastor apostolicae sedis amore placens , amplectende mihi semper, sacer arce Gregori, nec divulse animo, vir venerande, meo: gaudeo quod rediit Turonis antistes honore laetificorque mihi te remeasse patrem. plaudimus instanter communia vota tenere, civibus et patriae te revocasse diem. praesentem famulum mecum commendo, sacerdos, optantes longe vos moderare gregem. a Ad eundem Officiis generose piis, pater alme Gregori, mente salutifera qui petis astra palam, et quicumque tuis monitis animatur inermis. militiae sacrae victor habebit opem; commendans humilem famulum me solvo salutem semper amore pio, vir benedicte deo. pagina si brevis est, non est brevis ardor amantis, nam plus corda colunt quam mea verba canunt. b Ad eundem pro libro praestito Carmina diva legens proprioque e pectore condens, participans aliis fit tibi palma, parens. haec quoque, quae pridem tribuisti pastor ovili, grates persolvens debite laudo libens. vos tamen hinc maneant donaria celsa tonantis, qui sacras inopi distribuistis opes. quae cum percontare queam, pro munere tanto tunc magis ore meo gratia vestra sonet. – praesentem famulum Prodomerem, summe sacerdos, commendo supplex, dulcis amore pater. cui sua concedens iustae moderamine librae crescat honore dei palma futura tibi.