From Reccared, King of the Goths, to Gregory

Reccared to the holy lord and most blessed pope, the bishop Gregory. [a]

At the time when the Lord in his compassion brought us to break away from the impious Arian heresy, and the holy catholic church gathered us into her bosom, bettered in the path of faith, it was then the desire of our mind to seek out with delight, and with the whole bent of our mind, so very reverend a man: you, who are powerful above all other bishops, so that he might in every way commend for us men a thing so worthy and acceptable to God. But since we are taken up with many cares of government and occupied with various affairs, three years passed without the desire of our mind being satisfied. After this we chose some abbots of monasteries to send to you. They were to come into your presence, offer gifts sent by us to Saint Peter, and bring us clearer word of your holy reverence’s health. But as they hurried on their way, and were almost in sight of the shores of Italy, they happened to strike certain rocks near Marseilles, and were barely able to save their own lives. And now we have begged a presbyter whom your glory had sent as far as the city of Malaca to come into our presence. But he was held back by bodily sickness and has in no way been able to reach the soil of our kingdom. But since we know most certainly that he was sent by your holiness, we have sent your holiness a golden cup, decorated on the outside with gems, for you to offer, as I trust you will be pleased to do, as worthy of the apostle who shines first in rank. For I also beg your highness, when an opportunity is found, to seek us out with your sacred golden letters. For how truly I love you is not hidden, I believe, from the richness of your own heart, the Lord inspiring you. It sometimes happens that the grace of Christ glues together, as though visibly, those whom stretches of land or sea divide. For to those who do not see you in person at all, fame makes known your goodness. [b]

Further, I commend with all veneration to your holiness in Christ Leander, the priest of the church of Seville, since through him your kindness has been made clearly known to us; and when we talk of your life with this same bishop, we count ourselves your inferiors in good deeds. I am delighted to hear of your health, most reverend and most holy man. And I beg your Christian wisdom to commend often in your prayers to our common Lord both us and our people, who are ruled, under God, by our government, and have been won by Christ in your times; so that true love toward God may by this keep in well-being those whom the breadth of the world separates. [c]