Letter 8021: Ad eundem pro pellibus transmissis

XXI To the same man [Gregory], for the skins he sent across. A page set together with distinguished elegance, gleaming in its turn of phrase, and propped up with Sophoclean wisdom, has watered me, parched as I was, with its rich irrigation from you, and has made what I now speak to be from your own eloquence. O sweet, dear, fitting, eloquent, kindly Gregory, and father of the fatherland, on this side holy, on that side wise, equal in your gifts, your merits, your spirit, and your character, by which, possessing every good office, you are revered by all: I lay myself, little Fortunatus, low before your loftiness, and I duly commend your own man with suppliant prayer; to whom you give the means by which the sandals sent to him may be bound on, and the sole of his foot covered with snow-white skins. In return for which may a shining-white robe be granted to you by the Lord: you who give this to the least of men, from there may you carry off riches.

XXI Ad eundem pro pellibus transmissis Egregio conpacta situ, falerata rotatu atque Sophocleo pagina fulta sopho me arentem vestro madefecit opima rigatu, fecit et eloquio quod loquor esse tuo. dulcis care decens facunde benigne Gregori atque pater patriae, hinc sacer, inde cate, muneribus, meritis, animis et moribus aequis, omnibus officiis unde colaris habens: me Fortunatum tibi celso sterno pusillum, commendo et voto supplice rite tuum; cui das unde sibi talaria missa ligentur pellibus et niveis sint sola tecta pedis. pro quibus a domino detur stola candida vobis: qui datis hoc minimis, inde feratis opes.