Letter 1001: Ad Vitalem episcopum Ravennensem
I
Ad Vitalem episcopum Ravennensem
Antistes domini, meritis in saecula vivens,
gaudia qui Christi de grege pastor habes:
cum te Vitalem voluit vocitare vetustas,
noverat aeternum te meruisse diem;
dignus apostolica praefulgens mente sacerdos,
qui sacer Andreae tam pia templa locas.
quam bene pro meritis domini consedit in aula,
per quem digna deo est aedificata domus!
sumpsisti a domino culmen cui culmina condis:
qui tibi digna dedit reddis honore vicem.
emicat aula potens, solido perfecta metallo,
quo sine nocte manet continuata dies,
invitat locus ipse deum sub luce perenni,
gressibus ut placidis intret amando lares.
qui loca das populis. dominum quo semper adorent,
ut capiant veniam te facis esse viam.
gratia mens animus bonitas dilectio plebis
et gradus et pietas te dedit esse patrem.
prosperitas se vestra probat, quae gaudia supplens
intulit egregios ad tua vota viros.
dux nitet hinc armis. praefectus legibus illinc:
venerunt per quos crescere festa solent.
ne tibi desit honor, populum deus auxit opimum,
qui vidit sensum hoc voluisse tuum.
mysterium fidei conplevit vota petenti:
felix cui dominus quae cupis ipsa vehit!
plurima divino celebres sollemnia dono
atque dei florens templa locando colas.
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Ad Vilicum episcopum Mettensem
l. 7; that vero now not notabo) B.