EPISTOLA PRIMA. ( Epist S. Thomae Cantuar. edit. GILES. t. II, p. 200.) ERNISII ABBATIS ET R. PRIORIS S. VICTORIS PARIS. AD ROBERTUM HEREFORDIENSEM.
ROBERTO Herefordiensi episcopo, ERNISIUS abbas, et R. prior Sancti Victoris Parisiensis.
Magnam de promotione vestra concepit Ecclesia nostra laetitiam, et spe non modica hilarati sunt auditores vestri, tum universi scholares animati ad amorem litterarum, et cultum virtutum, vestri laboris et successus exemplo. Nos autem idcirco gavisi sumus quia vos prae caeteris amabamus et Ecclesiam Anglorum, quam praeter charitatem, quam habemus ad omnes Ecclesias, quadam speciali affectione, 1225Bnatura suadente, diligimus, vestra confidebamus eruditione proficere, et religione provocari ad divinae legis cultum, et contra adversa roborari vestrae praedicationis officio, et virtutis exemplo. Nunc autem supra modum dolemus, quod neque desideria nostra de vobis impleta sunt, nec preces nostras pro vobis Dominus exaudivit. Et utinam essent aures vestrae ad ora scholarium et religiosorum suspiria audiretis, ut sic erigeretur spiritus vester, qui divitiarum pondere dicitur opprimi, et amore episcopandi, et deliciarum affluentia infirmari. Nam, ut aiunt illi, confirmaverunt vos divitiae, quas in schola et frequenti verborum commercio consuevistis canigenas appellare. Speciosum tunc depingebatis episcoporum verbo, quem ex voto nostro doctrina nunc 1225Cexprimeretis et vita. Nunquid tunc fungebamini vice cotis, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . acutum Reddere quae ferrum valet, exsors ipsa secandi? (HORAT. Ars. poet. V, 304.) Mirum est si non tinniunt aures vestrae a confabulatione scholarium, detractione aemulorum, et amicorum querelis. Adversus patrem vestrum et consecratorem, eumdemque pro justitia, et libertate Ecclesiae exsulantem, nuper appellastis cum aliis, qui subversionem justitiae quaerunt et suam eversionem, et ponendo cum impiis portionem, unde vehementer dolemus, famam vestram plurimum denigrastis. Nunquid enim litteras appellatorias non vidistis, 1225Dquas episcopi ad archiepiscopum suum transmiserunt? Certe si non vidistis, stultum fuit, ut pace vestra veritatem loquatur charitas, non examinatum 1226Ade re tanta, et quae ad Ecclesiam Romanam perferenda est, signare testimonium. Si autem vidistis eas, qua conscientia, qua fronte, ausi fuistis asserere, et ut scribitis, cum omni fiducia praedicare, quod falsum esse novit, non modo vicinia tota, sed fere Latinus orbis? Praedicatis enim, quem sic scribitis, et ut de vestra potissimum utatur auctoritate, signatis scripturam cum episcopo Londoniensi, quod rex vester, etsi interdum ut homo deliquerit, omnes excessus suos corrigere paratus est, et in omnibus obtemperare justitiae, et si non credatur ei, etiam satisdationem offert, et adjicitis: Quoniam diligit corripientes se, et increpantes libenter auscultat. Sed qui hoc verum esse putat, quid credet esse falsum? Noti sunt enim mores hominis, 1226But vos talia praedicantes oporteat quaerere peregrinum, sed extra Latinum orbem. Vos autem qui justitiam ejus astruitis, quam innocentiam allegatis in ejectione mulierum, et parvulorum innocentium proscriptione? Sed haec, et his similia Dominus judicabit, et facientem, et consentientes pari poena percellet. Cogitate interim quam sententiam tunc accepturi sint episcopi, qui modo tantis patrocinantur injuriis. Haec sincera charitate, dulcissime Pater, scripsimus vobis, ut memineritis doctrinae vestrae, officii vestri, desiderii nostri, et divini judicii, ut redimatis famam vestram, et Ecclesiam, quae in manibus vestris collabitur, studeatis erigere. Vestri fuimus, sumus vestri, et Deo propitio, semper erimus prompti ad honorem et obsequium 1226Cvestrum.
LETTER ONE. ( Epist S. Thomae Cantuar. edit. GILES. t. II, p. 200.) OF ERNISIUS THE ABBOT AND R. THE PRIOR OF ST VICTOR OF PARIS, TO ROBERT OF HEREFORD.
To ROBERT, bishop of Hereford, ERNISIUS the abbot, and R. the prior of Saint Victor of Paris.
Our Church conceived great joy at your promotion, and your hearers were gladdened with no small hope — indeed all the scholars, roused to the love of letters and the cultivation of virtues by the example of your labor and success. And we rejoiced for this reason: because we loved you above the rest, and the Church of the English — which, beyond the charity we have toward all Churches, we love with a certain special affection, 1225Bnature urging it — we trusted would profit by your learning, and be stirred by your religion to the cultivation of the divine law, and be strengthened against adversities by the office of your preaching and the example of your virtue. But now we grieve beyond measure that neither have our desires concerning you been fulfilled, nor has the Lord heard our prayers for you. And would that your ears were at the mouths of the scholars, and that you might hear the sighs of the religious, that so your spirit might be raised up — which is said to be weighed down by the burden of riches, and to be weakened by the love of holding a bishopric and by the affluence of delights. For, as they say, riches have made you firm — riches which in the school and in the frequent traffic of words you used to call canigenae. You then used to paint in word the comely figure of bishops, whom, according to our wish, you would now 1225Cexpress in doctrine and in life. Were you not then performing the office of a whetstone, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . which can render iron sharp, though itself having no share in cutting? (HORAT. Ars. poet. V, 304.) It is a wonder if your ears do not ring from the chatter of scholars, the detraction of rivals, and the complaints of friends. Against your father and consecrator — and him an exile for the justice and liberty of the Church — you lately appealed together with others, who seek the subversion of justice and their own overthrow; and by placing your portion with the impious — whereat we grievously sorrow — you have very greatly blackened your reputation. For did you not see the letters of appeal 1225Dwhich the bishops sent to their archbishop? Certainly, if you did not see them, it was foolish — that charity may, by your leave, speak the truth — to set your seal, without examination, 1226Ato a testimony in so great a matter, and one that must be carried to the Roman Church. But if you did see them, with what conscience, with what effrontery, did you dare to assert, and — as you write — to proclaim with all confidence, what not only the whole neighborhood, but almost the whole Latin world, knows to be false? For you proclaim — of whom you thus write, and that he may use above all your authority — you sign a writing together with the bishop of London, that your king, even if now and then he has offended as a man, is prepared to correct all his excesses, and to obey justice in all things, and, if he be not believed, even offers a surety; and you add: For he loves those who rebuke him, and gladly listens to those who chide him. But he who thinks this to be true, what will he believe to be false? For the man's ways are well known, 1226Bso that you who proclaim such things would have to seek a stranger — but one outside the Latin world. But you who build up his justice, what innocence do you allege in the casting out of women and in the proscription of innocent little ones? But these things, and things like them, the Lord will judge, and will strike both the doer and those who consent with an equal penalty. Consider, meanwhile, what sentence those bishops will then receive, who now lend their patronage to such great injuries. These things, most sweet Father, we have written to you in sincere charity, that you may be mindful of your doctrine, of your office, of our desire, and of the divine judgment; that you may redeem your reputation, and may strive to raise up the Church, which is falling to ruin in your hands. Yours we have been, yours we are, and, God being favorable, we shall always be ready for your honor and 1226Cservice.
EPISTOLA II. PRIORIS S. VICTORIS PARIS. ET R. ABBATIS S. AUGUSTINI AD ALEXANDRUM PAPAM.( Ibid. )
ALEXANDRO papae, prior Sancti Victoris et R . . . abbas quondam S. Augustini.
Sanctis viris, etc.-- Vide in Alexandro III.
LETTER II. OF THE PRIOR OF ST VICTOR OF PARIS AND R. THE ABBOT OF ST AUGUSTINE, TO POPE ALEXANDER.( Ibid. )
To ALEXANDER the pope, the prior of Saint Victor and R . . . , formerly abbot of St Augustine.
To holy men, etc.-- See under Alexander III.
EPISTOLA III. WILLELMI PRIORIS URSICAMPI AD RICHARDUM PRIOREM S. VICTORIS. Petit aliquod ex ejus opusculis describendum. (MARTENE, Ampl. Collect., VI, 235.)
Dilecto suo domno RICHARDO, priori de S. Victore, frater Willelmus, dictus prior Ursicampi, salutem in 1226DDomino.
Libellum vestrum quem remitti vobis mandastis 1227Aego ipse reportavi in quadragesima; sed quoniam tunc non eratis apud S. Victorem, fratri Hugoni hospitali vestro illum commendavi, insinuans ei ut vobis illum redderet. Rogamus autem ut aliquod opusculum vestrum nobis mittatis quod nondum habuimus, scilicet de somnio Nabuchodonosor, vel illumina faciem tuam super servum tuum. Nam et hoc scribere incoeperamus, sed in exemplari vestro imperfectum reperimus. Vale.
LETTER III. OF WILLIAM, PRIOR OF OURSCAMP, TO RICHARD, PRIOR OF ST VICTOR. He asks that one of his little works be copied out. (MARTENE, Ampl. Collect., VI, 235.)
To his beloved lord RICHARD, prior of St Victor, brother William, called prior of Ourscamp, greeting in 1226Dthe Lord.
Your little book, which you commanded to be sent back to you, 1227AI myself brought back in Lent; but since you were then not at St Victor, I entrusted it to brother Hugh, your guest-master, charging him to return it to you. But we ask that you send us some little work of yours which we have not yet had, namely On the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, or Lighten thy face upon thy servant. For this too we had begun to copy, but we found it unfinished in your exemplar. Farewell.
EPISTOLA IV. G. PRESBYTERI ANILCURTENSIS AD RICHARDUM PRIOREM S. VICTORIS. Petit ab eo Passionem sive lectiones novem de S. Victore, inserendas in Breviario. (MARTENE, ibid. )
G. Dei gratia Anilcurtensis Ecclesiae presbyter, dilecto fratri suo R. venerabili priori Ecclesiae S. Victoris Parisiensis, salutem.
Mandamus atque rogamus dilectionem vestram quatenus passionem B. Victoris, quae apud nos non invenitur, vel novem lectiones de ipsa passione transcriptas per praesentium latorem nobis mittatis. Scribimus enim quemdam librum, quem Breviarium vocant, cui eas inserere dignum duximus. Vale.
LETTER IV. OF G., PRIEST OF ANILCOURT, TO RICHARD, PRIOR OF ST VICTOR. He asks of him the Passion, or the nine lessons concerning St Victor, to be inserted in a Breviary. (MARTENE, ibid. )
G., by the grace of God priest of the Church of Anilcourt, to his beloved brother R., venerable prior of the Church of St Victor of Paris, greeting.
We charge and ask your love that you send us, by the bearer of these presents, the passion of the blessed Victor, which is not found among us, or the nine lessons transcribed from that passion. For we are writing a certain book which they call a Breviary, in which we have thought it fitting to insert them. Farewell.
EPISTOLA V. G. AD RICHARDUM PRIOREM S. VICTORIS. Cupit rescire quid cum rege et abbate S. Germani egerit pro suo negotio. (MARTENE, ibid., col. 237.)
Charissimo suo RICHARDO venerando priori S. Victoris, humilis frater G., salutem eamdem quam sibi.
Si iter prosperum a nobis ad propria habuistis, si gratiam in conspectu regis invenistis, si recte ac prospere apud domnum abbatem, si abbatem S. Germani super negotio nostro convenistis, per praesentium latorem nobis significare non gravetur dilectio vestra. Salutate nobis domnum abbatem, qui humilitatem nostram non solum ad obsequendum, sed ad obediendum in quibus sibi placuerit promptam inveniet. Salutate nobis domnum Rogerum abbatem Augensem, charissimum nostrum.
LETTER V. OF G. TO RICHARD, PRIOR OF ST VICTOR. He desires to learn what he has transacted with the king and the abbot of St Germain concerning his affair. (MARTENE, ibid., col. 237.)
To his most dear RICHARD, venerable prior of St Victor, the humble brother G., the same greeting as to himself.
If you had a prosperous journey from us to your own place, if you found favor in the sight of the king, if rightly and prosperously with the lord abbot, if you met with the abbot of St Germain concerning our affair, let your love not be burdened to signify it to us by the bearer of these presents. Greet for us the lord abbot, who will find our humility ready not only to serve, but to obey in whatever things shall please him. Greet for us the lord Roger, abbot of Eu, our most dear friend.
EPISTOLA VI. (G. PRIORIS ECCLESIAE S. ALBANI AD R. DE S. VICTORE.DUCHESNE, Scrip. franc., IV, 747. sequentes ex eodem fonte prodeunt.)
Venerabili domino et amico magistro R. priori de Sancto Victore, suus G. prior Ecclesiae Sancti Albani, salutem et sincerae dilectionis integritatem
Habeo vobis gratias, quantae sunt indicibiles, quod gratiae vestrae fratri meo Math. tam copiosus fructus arrisit, metiorque ex illis impensis quanta vobis debeam latorem praesentium nepotem meum securitate commendare. Precor igitur ut benignitas quae in altero processit, se ad utrumque extendat et geminata charitas me vobis multipliciter 1228Areddat obligatum; et ut cumulato assurgam gaudio, aliquid mihi voluntatis vestrae dilectio vestra remandet, quo mei experimentum capiatis amoris. Valete.
LETTER VI. (G. PRIORIS ECCLESIAE S. ALBANI AD R. DE S. VICTORE.DUCHESNE, Scrip. franc., IV, 747. sequentes ex eodem fonte prodeunt.)
To his venerable lord and friend, master R., prior of Saint Victor, his own G., prior of the Church of Saint Alban, greeting and the wholeness of sincere love.
I give you thanks — such as are unspeakable — that so copious a fruit of your grace smiled upon my brother Matthew; and from those kindnesses I measure with how great security I ought to commend to you the bearer of these presents, my nephew. I pray, therefore, that the kindness which went forth toward the one may extend itself to both, and that a doubled charity may render me manifoldly 1228Aobligated to you; and that I may rise up with heaped-up joy, let your love send back to me some token of your will, whereby you may take proof of my love. Farewell.
EPISTOLA VII. EJUSDEM AD EUMDEM.
Venerabili amico suo et merito honorabili Ric. priori de Sancto Victore, suus G. prior ecclesiae S. Albani, salutem et affectum debitae dilectionis.
Quia fratris mei M. qui in partibus vestris amore scientiae peregrinatur, tam singulari gratia, tam peculiari liberalitatis praerogativa proventum curastis, gratias habeo dilectioni vestrae: nec quid 1228Bamoris et obsequii vobis animus meus promittat, muti facile valebunt apices explicare. Sed utinam eveniat, ut quo vos amplector affectu, operis exsecutio viva voce loquatur! Quomodo enim benignitatem, quam sibi a vobis collatam memoratus Matthaeus praedicat, ab eminentia vestra possem sperare, a qua prorsus nihil merui? Cerno siquidem plane quam amatorium illud Catonis tenaci memoriae prudentia vestra commandaverit: Si vis amari, ama. Restat igitur ut, quod tam fertili principio inchoastis, talari supervestire velitis tunica. Mihi autem etsi recompensandi desit effectus, non deerit tamen affectus. Hocque modicum munus non pro munere, sed ad amoris indicium vobis transmitto, vicissim postulans ut scriptorum 1228Cvestrorum mihi rescripto occasione inventa nomina innotescant. Ego autem curabo, ut si exemplaria non desint, scientiae vestrae thesauro Anglia nostra resplendeat.
LETTER VII. OF THE SAME TO THE SAME.
To his venerable friend, and deservedly honorable, Richard, prior of Saint Victor, his own G., prior of the church of St Alban, greeting and the affection of due love.
Because you have provided for the advancement of my brother M., who sojourns in your parts for love of knowledge, with so singular a favor, with so peculiar a prerogative of generosity, I give thanks to your love; nor will mute letters 1228Beasily be able to unfold what of love and service my mind promises to you. But would that it might come to pass that the execution of the deed might speak with living voice the affection with which I embrace you! For how could I hope from your eminence for the kindness which the aforesaid Matthew proclaims was conferred upon him by you — from that eminence of which I have deserved nothing at all? For I see plainly how your prudence has committed to tenacious memory that loving saying of Cato's: If you wish to be loved, love. It remains, then, that what you have begun with so fertile a beginning, you may be willing to clothe over with an ankle-length tunic. But as for me, though the means of recompensing be lacking, the affection nevertheless will not be lacking. And this small gift I send to you not for a gift's sake, but as a token of love, asking in return that the titles of your writings 1228Cmay become known to me by a reply, should occasion be found. And I will take care that, if copies be not lacking, our England may shine with the treasure of your knowledge.
EPISTOLA VIII. EJUSDEM AD EUMDEM.
Venerabili fratri et amico R. priori de Sancto Victore, Fr. S. humilis minister Ecclesiae Sancti Albani, salutem et debitum sincerae dilectionis obsequium.
Opuscula magistri Hugonis, quae in partibus nostris undecunque quaesita reperire potuimus, summo studio et exactissima diligentia sicut tantae venerationis scripta collegimus, et ex eis plurima in volumina nonnulla redegimus. Quoniam autem ex memorati 1228Dviri tractatibus aliquot apud vos contineri, quae in partibus cismarinis aut omnino non sunt, aut adhuc in Anglia nostra rarescunt, comperta relatione, didicimus, latori praesentium corum quae penes nos habentur notulas compendiosas tradidimus. De vestra nimirum charitate confisi, quod in opera sibi commissa in oculis vestrae sinceritatis nostro debeat interventu gratiae plenitudinem obtinere. Sanctitatem igitur vestram obnixe rogamus ac petimus, quatenus memorato praesentium latori tractatus magistri Hugonis inspiciendi copiam, ob reverentiam beati Albani et nostrae precis intuitu benigne, si placet, indulgeatis; et ut eos quos 1229Aapud nos non haberi compererit, commodius quomodocunque exscribi faciat, precamur ut ei in praesenti negotio vestri consilii simul et auxilii gratia respectus fraternae charitatis aspiret. Valete.
LETTER VIII. OF THE SAME TO THE SAME.
To his venerable brother and friend R., prior of Saint Victor, Br. S., humble minister of the Church of Saint Alban, greeting and the due service of sincere love.
The little works of master Hugh, which, sought from every quarter in our parts, we were able to find, we have gathered with the utmost zeal and most exact diligence, as writings of so great veneration, and out of them we have reduced very many into several volumes. But since, by report ascertained, we have learned that some of the treatises of the aforesaid 1228Dman are held among you, which in the lands on this side of the sea either are not at all, or as yet are rare in our England, we have handed to the bearer of these presents brief notes of those things which are in our possession. Trusting, of course, in your charity, that in the works committed to him he ought, in the eyes of your sincerity, to obtain by our intervention the fullness of grace. We therefore earnestly ask and beg your holiness that you would kindly grant to the aforesaid bearer of these presents the opportunity of inspecting the treatises of master Hugh, out of reverence for the blessed Alban and in regard for our prayer, if it please you; and that he may more conveniently, in whatever way, have copied out those which 1229Ahe shall find not to be had among us, we pray that the favor of your counsel and likewise of your aid, in the regard of fraternal charity, may breathe upon him in the present business. Farewell.
EPISTOLA IX. M. AD RICHARDUM.
Domino R. Dei gratia priori Ecclesiae Sancti Victoris, suus M., ad quam potius affectat hilariter ascendere salutem.
Inter ea quae in domo vestra deposui, sunt duo linteamina et duo mantilia quorum usu nunc exstat mihi opus. Quare vestra id benignitas efficiat ut utraque a se invicem discernantur, et alterum linteaminum, quod caelatura caret, cum altero quoquo 1229Bquod recentius est manutergiorum per hunc amicum nostrum fratrem Walterum mihi transmittatur. Reliqua vero simul posita in custodia vestra sicut prius habeantur, donec ego ad vos veniam. Venerabili amico vestro priori Sancti Evurtii, et huic praesentium latori Fratri Waltero gratias habeatis, qui pro veneratione vestra plura mihi parati sunt exhibere quam velim ab eis gratis accipere. Vale perpetuo in Christo Jesu Domino nostro. Ubicunque terrarum existam, vester sum, cupiens vestrae voluntati morem gerere, liberalitatique deservire. Quod res ipsa, Deo annuente, explicabit, si quando tempus futurum nobis obsequendi vobis locum conciliaverit.
LETTER IX. OF M. TO RICHARD.
To the lord R., by the grace of God prior of the Church of Saint Victor, his own M., greeting — to which he rather longs cheerfully to ascend.
Among the things which I deposited in your house are two linen cloths and two hand-towels, of the use of which I now have need. Wherefore let your kindness bring it about that both be distinguished from one another, and that one of the linen cloths, which lacks embroidery, together with whichever 1229Bof the hand-towels is the newer, be sent to me by this our friend, brother Walter. But let the rest, placed together, be kept in your custody as before, until I come to you. Give thanks to your venerable friend the prior of Saint Evurtius, and to this bearer of these presents, brother Walter, who out of veneration for you are ready to show me more things than I would wish to receive from them for nothing. Farewell forever in Christ Jesus our Lord. Wherever on earth I may be, I am yours, desiring to comply with your will and to serve your generosity. Which the matter itself, God granting, will unfold, if ever the time to come shall afford us occasion of serving you.
EPISTOLA X. EJUSDEM AD EUMDEM.
Domino R. Dei gratia priori Sancti Victoris, suus M., ad quam veritatis via perducit salutem.
Successus sui aperit indicia quisquis horum innititur gratiae, quorum promeruit amicitias. Quorum enim sibi quisque conciliavit affectus ex meritis, 1230Aeorumdem jure, prout honestati tamen congruit fungitur officiis. Ego itaque non hoc calle in amicitias vestras deductus, qua benignitas in vobis insita mihi praemonstravit accessus, ad gratiam vestram gratis intravi. Dum enim bonitatis vestrae statum recolo, mihi liquido innotescit liberalitatem vestram, prout decet ac expedit, cunctis patere. Quare, ut excellenti vestrae consuetudini morem suum geram, charitatis vestrae magnificentiam convenio, quatenus penes vos locum mihi quempiam placidi affectus piique desiderii patere concedatis. Super amicitia domini Walteri prioris Sancti Evurtii, multimodas grates vobis refero. Si quid vobis placuerit, per hunc nuntium meum amico vestro priori Sancti Albani mandare poteritis. Valete. Si 1230Bqui amicorum vestrorum manent in locis, per quae hic puer iter habebit, precor vestra eum ad eos transmittat, ne injurias ei fieri in via patiantur. Perpetuo valete.
LETTER X. OF THE SAME TO THE SAME.
To the lord R., by the grace of God prior of Saint Victor, his own M., greeting — to which the way of truth leads.
Whoever leans upon the grace of those whose friendships he has earned discloses the tokens of his own success. For whosesoever affections each has won for himself by merits, by the right of those same 1230Ahe discharges their offices, so far, however, as accords with honesty. And so I, brought into your friendship not by this track — but by that whereby the kindness implanted in you showed me beforehand the approach — entered freely into your grace. For while I call to mind the condition of your goodness, it becomes clearly known to me that your generosity, as is fitting and expedient, lies open to all. Wherefore, that I may comply with your excellent custom, I approach the magnificence of your charity, that you would grant some place of gentle affection and pious desire to lie open to me with you. For the friendship of the lord Walter, prior of Saint Evurtius, I render you manifold thanks. If anything shall please you, you will be able to send word by this my messenger to your friend the prior of Saint Alban. Farewell. If 1230Bany of your friends remain in the places through which this boy will have his journey, I pray that your love send him on to them, lest they suffer injuries to be done to him on the way. Farewell forever.
EPISTOLA XI. G. PRIORIS S. ALBANI AD RICHARDUM.
Venerabili amico, et merito honorabili Ric. priori de Sancto Victore, G. prior ecclesiae Sancti Albani, salutem et debitae dilectionis affectum.
Quia petitiones meas jam pridem curae vestrae delegatas diligenter prosequi studuistis, praesentem caeteris securus adnecto. Precibus igitur meis, ut mos vester permittit, inflectimini, et latorem praesentium fratrem meum M. suscipiat dilectio vestra 1230Cmeo intuitu commendatum, et in quo necesse habuerit ei vestrum astipuletur consilium, ut vobis habeam multipliciores gratiarum actiones. Munusculum, quod vobis ex parte mea porrigendum transmisi, dignanter vestra dilectio suscipiat, et potius mittentis affectum quam missi attendite parvitatem. Valete.
LETTER XI. OF G., PRIOR OF ST ALBAN, TO RICHARD.
To his venerable friend, and deservedly honorable, Richard, prior of Saint Victor, G., prior of the church of Saint Alban, greeting and the affection of due love.
Because you have taken pains diligently to carry through my petitions, long since entrusted to your care, I confidently attach the present one to the rest. Bend, therefore, to my prayers, as your custom permits, and let your love receive the bearer of these presents, my brother M., 1230Ccommended for my sake, and in whatever he shall have need let your counsel support him, that I may have more manifold thanksgivings to render you. Let your love graciously receive the little gift which I have sent to be presented to you on my behalf, and regard rather the affection of the sender than the smallness of the thing sent. Farewell.