Letters205 Letter CCV. To the bishop of rochester.'-' (Circa A.D. 1140)

Bernard complains of the severity of his letter, which helias done nothing to deserve, You write severely to one who does not deserve it.

'This Letter should therefore be dated not before 1142. See note on next page.—[E.]

What have I done wrong? If I advised Master Robert Pullen } to spend some time at Paris, because of the sound learning which is known to be gained there, it was because thought it necessary for him, and I still think so. If I asked your Highness to permit it, I would again make the same request, if I were not aware that you had rejected my former petition. If I said that the man is supported by the kindness of his friends, whose influence at the Curia is by no means small, I said it because I had fears for you, and I still have. For in that after appeal was made, you, as I hear, stretched out your hand to the property of the appellant; I neither praised you in this, nor do I now. But certainly I never advised him, nor do I now, to go against your wish in any way. For the rest I am your servant, ready always to hold and honour your crown in due and worthy veneration. I venture again on the strength of this consciousness to pray and advise you that Master Robert with your full goodwill may be allowed to spend some time at Paris. May the Lord repay you in eternal life the good you have done to my offspring, I mean my sons whom I have sent into Ireland.