Chapter 1.—Introduction: Address to Boniface.
I Had indeed known you by the praise of your renowned fame; and by very numerous and veracious messengers I had learned how full you were of the grace of God, most blessed and venerable Pope Boniface! But after my brother Alypius saw you even in bodily presence; and, having been received by you with all kindness and sincerity, held, at the bidding of affection, conversations with you; and living with you, and, although only for a short time, united with you in earnest affection, poured out to your mind both himself and me; and brought you back to me in his mind:—the more assured was your friendship, the greater became in me the conviction of your holiness. For you, who mind not high things, however loftily you are placed, did not disdain to be a friend of the lowly and to return the love bestowed upon you. For what else is friendship which has its name from no other source than love,2 The Latin words being amicitia (friendship) and amor (love). and is nowhere faithful but in Christ, in whom alone it can be eternal and happy? Whence, also, having received a greater assurance by means of that brother, through whom I have learned to know you more familiarly, I have ventured to write something to your blessedness concerning those things which at this juncture are claiming by a later stimulus the episcopal care, as far as we are able, to vigilance on behalf of the Lord’s flock.
CAPUT PRIMUM.
1. Exorditur a Romani episcopatus praeeminentia. Noveram te quidem fama celeberrima praedicante, et frequentissimis atque veracissimis nuntiis quanta esses Dei gratia plenus acceperam, beatissime atque venerande papa Bonifaci. Sed posteaquam te etiam praesentia corporali frater meus vidit Alypius, acceptusque a te benignissime ac sincerissime, 0550 mutua miscuit dictante dilectione colloquia, tecumque convivens, et parvo licet tempore, magno tibi junctus affectu, se simul et me refudit animo tuo, teque mihi reportavit in suo, tanto major in me tuae Sanctitatis est facta notitia, quanto certior amicitia. Neque enim dedignaris, qui non alta sapis, quamvis altius praesideas, esse amicus humilium, et amorem 0551 rependere impensum. Quid est enim aliud amicitia, quae non aliunde quam ex amore nomen accepit, et nusquam nisi in Christo fidelis est, in quo solo esse etiam sempiterna ac felix potest? Unde et accepta per eum fratrem, per quem te familiarius didici, majore fiducia, ausus sum aliquid ad tuam Beatitudinem scribere de his rebus, quae hoc tempore episcopalem curam, si qua in nobis est, ad vigilantiam pro grege dominico stimulo recentiore sollicitant.