Letter 1014: I have sent the horse you requested: gentle in temperament, strong in limbs, solid in build, handsome in form,...
XIIII. DOMNO PECTORIS SUI CELSO RURICIUS.
Equum, qualem iusseras, destinaui mansuetudine placidum,
membris ualidum, firmum robore, forma praestantem, factura
conpositum, animis temperatum nec praeproperum scilicet uelocitate
nec pigrum (tarditate), cui frenus et stimulus sit sedentis
arbitrium, cui ad euehendum onus et uelle suppetat
pariter et posse, ita ut nec cedat superposito nec deponat inpositum.
his itaque, sicut oportuit, intimatis, salutatione praelata,
pollicitatione dispensa promissa deposcimus, ut ad sollemnitatem
sanctorum ad nos deo propitio una cum sorore
uestra uenire dignemini honorem patronis, fratribus affectum,
gratiam populis praestituri.
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I received your letter, and it caused me no small distress.
It is flattery, not the sacrament of true goodwill, when affection is shown only to those who are present.
I tremble to open my stammering mouth in praise of you, knowing that even greater talents rightly fall short.
The strength of a friendship is proved not by grand gestures but by steady correspondence.
How long will this abstinence be permitted?