To Innocent, Prefect of Africa, on His New Office and the Book on Job

Gregory to Innocent, and so on. [a] The clear eloquence of your eminence, seasoned with the honey of the heart, has so filled our inmost soul with its sweetness, and so carried us away with love for it, that what you write sounds sweet and what you do has a pleasant taste. And not without good reason, since a man accomplished in good studies is great in the eye of judgment, not of partiality. Further, since we understand that you have taken up the belt of the prefecture, sadness is mixed with our joy. On the one hand we rejoice at the promotion of our most sweet son; on the other we are saddened, because we know from our own sorrow how heavy a burden it is to be raised to high positions in times of confusion. So every effort ought to be made to turn troublesome circumstances into an occasion of reward. For, as you know, grain springs from land full of thistles, and the rose grows from thorns. While, then, you are given a time fit for sowing, do not delay to sow the seed of good works, so that on the day of harvest you may carry home greater armfuls of joy, and from good service in a passing dignity may come to eternal glory. Knowing, then, the pains you have taken in preparing swift ships, we relieve your anxiety with welcome news. By the mercy of God, we have come to terms of peace with the king of the Lombards until the month of March in the coming fourth indiction. Whether it will hold or not we do not know, since the king is reported to have died since then, though so far the report is held to be uncertain. [b]

We have done what you wrote to ask us to do about Anamundarus, and we only wish the result may answer to our desire; for as far as it lies with us, we do not refuse the help of our intercession to the afflicted. [d]

As to your wish that the book on the explanation of holy Job be sent to you, we rejoice greatly at your eager desire, since we see that your eminence earnestly wants what may keep you from going entirely outside yourself, and bring your heart back to itself after it has been distracted by worldly cares. But if you want to be filled with delicious food, read the works of the blessed Augustine, your countryman, and do not look for our chaff in comparison with his fine wheat. [e]

Furthermore, we have learned from the testimony of Hilarus, our chartulary, what support and what kindness your glory has shown in the interests of the poor of the blessed Peter, prince of the apostles, who loves you. For this we give you abundant thanks, and we implore the mercy of Almighty God to defend you with the protection of his grace. May he allow neither bad men without nor evil spirits within to prevail against you, but in his mercy so order your doings in his fear that, as he has made you glorious among men, he may also make you glorious in the number of his saints after the course of a long life. [f]