Letters467 Letter CDLXVII. To Pope Eugenius. 1

Bernard replies to the Pope's letter to the community at Clairvanx on his election.

1 This letter should be read immediately after Ep. 238, which was Bernard’s first letter to his former pupil and subordinate after fiis elevation to the Papal Chair. (For the details of Eugenius’ career, see note to Ep. 237). He was elected Feb. 15, 1145, and Bernard had already saluted him in his first letter, the joyful tone of which, however, was somewhat qualified by surprise, anxiety and earnest admonition; a little, it would seem also, by not receiving any direct communication from Eugenius, to inform his former chief and his brethren of the great charge which had been conferred upon him. That letter could scarcely have reached the Pope when the two brethren, whose return from Rome was expected when the letter was sent, came back to Clairvaux and brought the desired letter from Eugenius. This was delivered; and its comfortable contents, as also the Apostolic blessing of him who was once a humble monk of the cloister was read to the Abbot.

Then revived the spirit of the Saint; and praising God, he fell on his face and adored, he says, with his brethren, the new Pope as if he had been personally present. This letter was unknown until now. It is preserved in MS. in the old Cistercian monastery at Lilienfeld, situated near St. Polten, in an adjoining valley of the Danube. This letter is there named as the last of no of S. Bernard in the Parchment Codex 55 on leaf 94 a.-b. Unfortunately this folio MS., which dates from As cool waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country (Prov. xxv. 25). I have gladly received our brethren Gg. and G. coming from your presence, and in their words have become as it were consoled. And sometime since I had heard by others the news of what has taken place, and of what the Lord has done with respect to His son. But they who went by did not say: The blessing of the Lord be upon you (Ps. cxxix. 8). Now, however, when the letter was read over containing a picture of your goodwill towards us, from its fulness we all received good words, consoling words, health and apostolic benediction. When I had heard this, my spirit lived again, and giving thanks to God, I fell prone upon my face, and I and your brethren rendered homage to you upon the earth. I do not tell you this in order to anoint your head with, the oil of the flatterer, that they may deceive the poor and needy, who are deceivers and deceived, but as those who are blessing him whom the Lord hath blessed. For it behoves me to speak with you both in another tongue and on other matters. The words which I speak to you are not as the caresses of a flatterer.

He is rash who meddles with the strife of another (Prov. xxvi. 17). Like a potter’s vessel adorned with drossy silver, so are swelling words joined with an evil heart the 13th century, contains only a fragment of the letter: the above description is followed by a few phrases in which S. Bernard denies every idea of flattering the Pope. Then the text breaks off in the middle of the phrase, blandientis oscula and then follow without any context a number of texts out of the book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes which have no connexion with the letter. (Hiiffer). [E.]

1 Hiiffer reads leti but qu. laete? (E.)

2 (a latere vestro).

3 (adoravimus).

(Ibid. xxvi. 23). Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth (Ibid, xxvii. 1).... It is better to be rebuked by a wise man, than to be deceived by the adulation of fools (Eccles. vii. 5).