Letter 42

From: Ruricius, bishop of Limoges To: Leontius Date: ~501 AD Context: A thank-you for a gift of fresh vegetables, with a charming reciprocal exchange of greetings. Ruricius to his most devoted and honorable brother Leontius. I give thanks that you both care about my well-being and took the trouble to refresh me with the fresh vegetables you know I enjoy. This you provide out of both habit and love. And so, as your servant returns, I send back the reciprocal duty of greetings and ask how you have received what I sent.

XXXXII. DOMINO DEUINCTISSIMO ET MIHI OMNI HONORE UENERABILI FRATRI LEONTIO RURICIUS. Gratias ago, quod et nostri curam gerere et nouitate holerum, quae libenter habere nos nostis, nos reficere tanti habuistis, quod et consuetudini praestatis pariter et amori. ideoque redeunte puero uestro reddo reciprocum sospitationis officium et, ut de suscepto deo propitio officio indesinenter cogitetis, admoneo, quia deus non initium boni operis, sed finem requirere conprobatur dicens: qui perseuerauerit usque in finem, hic saluus erit. praestabit, ut credimus, misericordia ipsius, 25] Matth. 10, 22. 5 mallo S 6 potestati S 7 mendabitis S 9 se dederit] sederit S pacietur S 11 non ante excipit denuo add. S praestauit S 12 tumultiba S dilatis ex dilectis S2, deletis Mommgenus 13 paruump S Ijitius S\', citius 82 fructus nos 8 man. rec., fj>cti|!s ;;08 81 14 uestra v in notis carpere v 15*aflFectibus v mitigentur] finit add. S 17 deuictissimo S uenerabile S 18 leoncio S 19 nouijte S (t eras.) 20 nos nostis S 22 offitium S 23 offitio S 26 praestauit S du* sericordiam S ut, qui paenitendi uobis animum inspirare dignatus est, ipse nobis et in augendo uirtutem et in consummatione plenam tribuat pro sua miseratione remissionem, qui solus potest et sanare corrupta et reparare conlapsa et delere commissa et abolere praeterita, conseruare praesentia et donare uentura.