Letters408 Letter CDVIII. To W., Abbot of Troyes.

Bernard recommends to him an ecclesiastic who was desirous of quitting the world, but whom he feared would be unequal to the life at Clairvaux on account of his delicate health.

The ecclesiastic whom I send to you was desirous of quitting the world and entering our House, but I, fearing that our Rule would be too severe for him, have persuaded him to take refuge with you. Him therefore I recommend to you as a man well known to me, respectable and learned; and lastly as a servant of God who cannot fail to become, I think, by the grace of God, a trustworthy support and great comfort. It is rather in your interest than in his that I wish him to come to you, whom love as myself. I would willingly keep him with us on account of his merit and good character, were it not that I fear to accept an ecclesiastic of delicate health and unaccustomed to labour. Farewell.