23. Here, to the things thou hast thought meet to inquire of me, thou hast such reply as I have been able to render: which if it be more than enough prolix, thou must excuse this, for it was done through love of holding longer talk with thee. For this book, then, how thy charity shall receive it, let me, I pray thee, know by a second letter: though doubtless it will be more welcome for its bearer’s sake, to wit our brother and fellow-presbyter Candidianus, whom, having been by thy letter made acquainted with him, I have welcomed with all my heart, and am loath to let him depart. For greatly in the charity of Christ hath he by his presence consoled us, and, to say truth, it was at his instance that I have done thy bidding. For with so great businesses is my heart distraught, that had not he by ever and anon putting me in mind not suffered me to forget it, assuredly to thy questioning reply of mind had not been forthcoming.

23. Habes ad ea quae a me putasti esse quaerenda, qualem potui reddere responsionem meam: quae si ultra quam satis est prolixa est, da veniam; id enim factum est amore diutius loquendi tecum. Hunc ergo librum quemadmodum acceperit venerabilis Dilectio tua, peto rescriptis tuis noverim, quem tibi perlator ejus faciet sine dubio gratiorem, frater scilicet et compresbyter noster Candidianus, quem per tuas litteras cognitum toto corde suscepi, invitusque dimisi. Multum enim nos in charitate Christi sua praesentia consolatus est, et, quod fatendum est, ejus instantia tibi parui. Nam cor meum tanta distendunt, ut nisi ipso assidue commonente me non sinerer oblivisci, profecto interrogationi tuae mea responsio defuisset.