Letter 8020: Ad eundem precatoria pro ipso agro

20 To the same man, a petition on behalf of the field itself Renewing the deeds of the bountiful Martin, Gregory, as he clothes us with a garment, so you yourself with food. A wise disciple, by imitating your gentle master, there where he sits as leader, you, a soldier, shall have his aid. As he once shared his cloak, so you share a little field, he mighty in covering, and you becoming in cherishing, he relieving the poor man of old, you, dear one, the new one: each man is made rich, deservedly, through his own poor man. When it is asked back, the ploughland returns to your uses, and we shall restore the field to its own master. For this I render abundant thanks, sweetest ruler, and, composing these verses, I repeat them, your sheep, O shepherd. Nor do I return so much as I owe you, prelate: but for Fortunatus, I beg, turn God toward me [in prayer].

XX Ad eundem precatoria pro ipso agro Munifici reparans Martini gesta, Gregori, texit ut ille habitu nos alis ipse cibo. discipulus placidum sapiens imitando magistrum ille ubi dux residet miles habebis opem. ut chlamydem ille prius, sic tu partiris agellum, ille tegendo potens tuque fovendo decens, ille inopem antiquum relevans, tu, care, novellum: fit dives merito paupere quisque suo. quando reposcetur, vestris redit usibus arvum et domino proprio restituemus agrum. unde amplas refero grates, dulcissime rector, et repeto pangens haec, tua, pastor, ovis. nec tantum reddo quantum tibi debeo, praesul: pro Fortunato sed, rogo, flecte deum.