32. To his Nephew Anselm

Anselm the archbishop to Anselm, his nephew in the flesh, his dearest son in affection: greeting and God's blessing, and his own.

Since of all my relations it is for thee that I feel the most special love, I long for thy improvement in the sight of God and before everyone. Wherefore I advise and enjoin thee as a most dearly-loved son, to study carefully to attain that improvement for which I sent thee to England, and to spend no time in idleness. Strive most to acquire a thorough knowledge of gram mar by declining and parsing, by dictation; and prac tise reading prose rather than verse. Above all, keep guard over thy behaviour and thine actions before men, and over thy heart before God, so that when, God per mitting, I see thee, I may rejoice in thy progress, and thou be glad in my joy. Farewell. To God I commend thee, body and soul.