22. To Boso

Father to son, brother to brother, friend to friend, Anselm to Boso; that, to thee.

I give thanks as if I were with thee, for thy visit by letter, for thy advice, comfort, thy yearning affection, And the rather since although thou lovest me above all earthly things, yet thy heart more inclines towards consoling me in my trouble of which thou art aware, than to the satisfaction of thy loving affection, which is the chief thing in the world to thee. The sweetness of thy affection for me has long known the tenderness of mine for thee, and my love for thee knew long ago thy love for me. Each knows the secret heart of the other by his own, and positive experience suffers no doubt to arise in the mind of either. For our mutual love had its true source in God; and I do not so much pray that wherein it has hitherto persevered it still may continue as confidently from hope in God declare that it will endure. I cannot send you frequent letters, as your affection and mine would desire; since even if I had the opportunity, I should fear to give some occasion for violence from the king, who hates everything belonging to me and those who love me; both towards our Church and towards the bearer, if he by any means should have knowledge of it. The book I have written, of which the title is, "Cur Deus Homo? "is being copied by Master Eadmer, my very dear son and the staff of my old age, a monk of Bec, to whom my friends are indebted in proportion to their love for me, or rather to the church of Bec, whose son he is. Since for the reason I have before mentioned, I cannot write to the lord abbot of our church, I commend to thee the memory of myself, that in the hearts of those whom I loved (they bear me witness) as my own soul, and God giving me grace will love as long as I live, thy earnest putting in mind may deepen it and never suffer it to wear out. I hear that Master Fulk, my cousin, is with you. If he is, I entreat you all for him as for my own flesh. For he is an exile for God's sake, and long ago he became a monk at Bec.

Greet him, and be to him in my stead. May Almighty God bless thee, body and soul. Greet those whom thou knowest and thinkest well to greet.