1. To Lanfranc

Brother ANSELM, to his master and father, Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, who is revered by Catholics with much love, and beloved with reverence.

Glory be to God on high, who has set the light of your faith and wisdom on a high candlestick, that it may give light to all that are in the house. And we pray Almighty God that this light may so burn that it be not consumed: may so give light to others as that it may never be for itself extinguished: that after its long shining to the English, it may be removed to share eternally in the light divine in company with the angels. As indeed anything good of our own (if such indeed there be), we reckon as yours; so that which benefits you, whatever it may be, we cannot but consider as our own. For although so many unexpected changes of circumstance often try to remove you from me, yet they never could (I will not say separate our closely-adhering souls from each other, yet certainly) draw my clinging spirit away from you. Wherefore I may be silent upon what you know, and whereof I doubt not, for if you bear me not in your heart at least you could not fly from me: but also you cannot entirely abandon him who follows you wherever you go, and wherever he may remain, still embraces you. The precious cup which you gave to me dearer and dearest, you said with joyous kindness and loving confidence (so master Hernostus brings me word) that you would like to have. There fore I give you back your gift, yet not at all that I may be less under obligation to you: nay, most freely do I give you the most precious thing I have in the world. Let our beloved brethren who are with you read after the open letter to your highness this short yet full note of mine, addressed to you: my yearning for you continually increases: and the love which you long ago knew I bore you, never grows less.