LETTER XCI. 

A graceful letter of affection.

AMBROSE TO HIS BROTHER CANDIDIANUS.

1. Great is the beauty of your language, but that of your love is still more apparent, for your letters manifest to me the bright colours of your mind, blessed and most dear brother. The Lord give you His Grace and Blessing, for in your letters I recognize your good wishes rather than my good deserts. For what merits of mine can equal such commendations as yours?

Love me, my brother, for I love you.

[Footnotes moved to the end and renumbered. Marginal biblical references and running headings omitted]

EPISTOLA XCI.

CANDIDIANUM  laudat, ac se deprimit. 

AMBROSIUS CANDIDIANO fratri.

1. Summus quidem splendor in sermone est tuo, sed magis in affectu elucet mihi; nam in epistolis mentis tuae aspicio fulgorem, dilectissime frater ac beatissime. Dominus te benedicat, et det tibi suam gratiam; nam et ipse in epistolis tuis vota magis, quam mea merita recognosco. Quae enim merita mea tantis tuis aequentur sermonibus? Dilige nos, frater; quia nos te diligimus.