LETTER III. [A.D.380.]

THIS graceful little letter, written in a tone of playful affectionateness, is addressed to Felix, who was, as the next letter shews, Bishop of Comum. It tells its own story.

AMBROSE TO FELIX.

1. I HAVE received your present of mushrooms; they were of an extraordinary size, so large as to excite admiration. I did not like to keep them hidden, as the saying is, in my bosom, but preferred shewing them to others also. Therefore I gave part to my friends, part I reserved for myself.

2. An agreeable present, but not of weight enough to repress my just complaint against you for never visiting one who has so long loved you. And take heed lest you hereafter have to bear yet heavier fungus-growths  01-52  52. 1 tubera of sorrow; for such things have a double signification; sent as gifts they are agreeable, in the body or the mind they are irksome. Prevail with yourself to cause me less sorrow by your absence, for my longing for you is the cause of my distress: make yourself, if you can, less necessary to me.

3. I have made my statement, proved my case. I am forced to assail you with that expression; no ordinary weapon, but one which will hit home  01-53  53. a Amentata illa non manipularis sententia. Ed. Ben. refers to Junius, Adagiorum Centuriae 3, 10, who says 'Amentatam sententiam dixit D. Am-brosius pro valida et haud vulgari firmisque argumentis roboratit. Est antem amentum lori genus quo hasta praeligata validius certiusque libratur evibraturque: hinc amentata senten-tia ea est quae neutiquam trivialis est et pedanea, cujusmodi manipularis vocatur, velut a gregario milite profecta, sed eximia et artificio vallata.' He quotes two passages from Cicero, De Orat. 1 57, 242. Brut. 78. 271, in both which places he uses 'amentatae hastae' of arguments, and also Tertull. adv. Marc. iv. ,33 where he says that our Lord amentavit [Phariseis] hanc sententiam, non potestis Deo servire et mammonae, where it plainly means, 'gave them this home-thrust.' . You certainly shewed alarm; but see now that I am not so much grieved but that I can be playful about it. Hereafter however you must not excuse yourself, though your present excuse is to be a profitable one to me. Yet it were an ill judgment of you, and of me no better, to suppose that your absence is to be compensated by presents, or that I am to be bought off by them. Farewell: love me, as I do you.

EPISTOLA III .

FELICIS  munusculum praedicat, sed eum quod se a longo tempore non inviserit, arguens; ut non tamdiu procrastinetur, petit. 

AMBROSIUS FELICI.

1. Misisti mihi tubera, et quidem mirae magnitudinis, ut stupori forent ea tam grandia. Nolui in sinu, ut aiunt, abscondere: sed aliis quoque demonstrare malui. Itaque partem direxi amicis, partem  0888B mihi reservavi.

2. Suave munus, non tamen ita praepollens, ut comprimeret querelam meam jure excitatam, quod nos tamdiu amantes tui nequaquam revisas. Et cave posthac ne majora invenias doloris tubera. Nam hujus nominis diversa ratio; ut enim grata in munere, ita in corpore atque in affectu molesta sunt. De te impetra, quominus te abesse doleam; nam causa commotionis meae, desiderium est tui. Effice, si potes, ut minus gratus sis.

3. Rem exposui, causam probavi. Intorquenda est amentata illa non manipularis sententia. Metuisti certe: sed vide quam movear, ut delectet jocari. Postea tamen ne excusaveris: etenim quamvis tua haec vectigalis mihi sit excusatio; male tamen de te  0888C judicat, nec de me 763 melius, si aut tuam absentiam muneribus compensandam, aut me muneribus redimendum putes. Vale, et nos amantes tui dilige.