62. To Helgotus, Abbot of St Andaenus

Anselm, servant of the Church of Canterbury, the truly loved to his friend the Reverend Abbot of the Monastery of St Andaenus, Helgotus, wishes whatever of the best he can wish for a friend.

One true friend is ever anxious about another as that other is about him; desiring to know about the other's concerns that he may either rejoice or suffer with him according to what the circumstances may be. And whereas no one loves sorrow; yet strangely enough should there be any cause for condoling, he would rather know it that he may sympathise than be ignorant, to avoid grief. Your affection, so sweet to me and so loved by me, wishes to know my state, and everything about me, that your heart may feel for me just as mine is feeling. By the providence of God's grace, and the help of your prayers and those of other servants of God who are my friends, I have lately returned to England: and with as great joy and honour as men could possibly show, was I received by great and small, by nobles and people. And what you heard as to my lord the king having committed all his king dom and possessions to my charge so that my will should be in everything obeyed as his own, is true. Herein he showed the goodness of his intentions and his great love for me. But since it is written, "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient," and elsewhere: "All things are lawful unto me, but all things edify not," I do not think it advisable to begin as yet to attempt anything great by myself; but since God has brought the king back to the good disposition I perceive in him towards us, I hope that God by His grace will through him work many things to His own honour, whence we may rejoice. So far as the changes of this world allow, all my affairs both bodily and otherwise are by God's gift prospering, except as to my bodily weakness, which I daily feel to be increasing. May all the blessings which in your letter you invoke for me, come also upon your own head. I greet our brethren, your beloved sons, and beg them to remember me.