To Claudianus, in the Year of the Earthquake

The divine celebration has as usual brought us its spiritual blessings, but the sour fruits of sin have not let us enjoy them with gladness. They have had their usual results. In the beginning they made thorns and thistles, sweat, toil and pain spring up; now sin sets the earth quaking against us, and makes nations rise against us on every side. And we lament, because we force the good Lord, who wants to do us good, to do us harm, and compel him to inflict punishment. [a]

Yet when we remember the bottomless depths of his pity, we are comforted, and we trust that the Lord will not cast off his people, nor forsake his inheritance. As I greet your magnificence, I beg you to send me news of your health, which I so much wish for. [c]