Letters63 Letter LXIII. To the same (Circa A.D. 1128)
Letter LXIII. To the same (Circa A.D. 1128)
He justifies himself respecting an imprudence of which he had been accused; he seeks his friendship, and commends to him the Abbot Guy.
Respecting those matters about which it has pleased your Excellency to make inquiry of me, either I am deceived or he who has reported them to you misinforms you. If there is any foundation of truth in those reports (for I distrust my memory, which, I know, is defective, and I would not suspect such great falseness in the brother who has spoken to you about them), at least I am quite sure, and you may believe without doubt this, that I have never used a word of blame against you at any time or to any person, nor made any accusation. May such rashness be far from a humble person like myself as to dare to speak against bishops, especially in their absence, about matters which do not concern me, and of which, besides, I have no correct knowledge. I gratefully accept the honour which you have done me in deigning to wish for my acquaintance, and I desire both that I should be better known to you and that you should know me better. It is with the same confidence in the goodness of your Highness that I address to you a request, or rather a recommendation, in favour of that monastery which my reverend brother and co-abbot Dom Guy, of Trois-Fontaines, has undertaken to erect under your protection, and, as they say, at your request. I shall see in that which you do for him what is your regard for me, and I shall hold as done for myself all that you are so good as to do in his favour. Farewell.
Super his quae a nobis vestrae excellentiae placuit sciscitari, aut nos fallimur, aut ille qui ea vobis retulit, fallit. Si quid tamen fuit (suspectam quippe habeo meam, quam novi, labilem memoriam), ne tantam in fratre qui haec loquitur, suspicer falsitatem: hoc me certissime scire confido, et vos indubitanter credere volo, nemini me super nomine vestro reprehensionis aliquando vel accusationis verba fecisse, vel injunxisse. Absit haec a nostra pusillitate temeritas, ut contra episcopos, et absentes, loqui quae ad nos non attinent, audeamus, praesertim quae non probavimus! Deinde quod nostri notitiam dignanter expetitis, gratanter accipimus, abundantius nos et innotescere vobis, et vos noscere cupientes. Qua jam sane fiducia Praestantiae vestrae supplicamus, imo vestram fidenter commonemus benevolentiam, de loco illo quem sub tutela vestra, vestro, ut aiunt, hortatu, frater reverendus et coabbas noster domnus Guido de Tribus-Fontibus construere suscepit. In illo nobis quantum nos curatis, ostendite; et quidquid ei feceritis, nobis factum reputate. Valete.