63. To Alexander, King of the Scots

To Alexander, by the grace of God King of the Scots, Anselm, servant of the Church of Canterbury, greeting, with his earnest prayers and God's blessing, and, so far as it availeth, his own.

I and all the congregation of the Church of Christ in Canterbury give thanks to God and rejoice that God has raised you to your father's kingdom by hereditary succession after your brother, and that he has adorned you with qualities suitable for a ruler. For your brother who by a holy life by the mercy of God, attained to make a good end thereof, we do as friends for our friends pray, and will according to your petition pray, that God may grant his soul to enjoy the eternal gladness of His glory with His elect, and give to him eternal blessedness. I know that your highness loves and desires my advice. First of all therefore I pray God so to direct you by the grace of His Holy Spirit, and so to give you wisdom in all your actions that He may bring you after this life to His heavenly kingdom. My chief advice would be that by the help of Him who gave you His fear and those good and pious habits which you acquired in youth and from your childhood upwards, you should strive to hold these fast. For kings rule well, when they live according to God's will, and serve Him with reverence; and when they keep rule over themselves nor yield to vicious ways, but with stedfast strength conquer those importunate tempta tions. For constancy in virtue and royal fortitude are not inconsistent in a king. For a king's constancy in To Robert an d His Sisters and Daughters. 2 1 1 virtue is not inconsistent with royal power. Some kings, as David, both lived holily and ruled the people committed to their charge with strict justice and gentle kindness, according as need required. So behave your self as that the bad shall fear and the good love you; and that your life may always please God, ever let your mind retain a vivid impression of the punishment of the evil and the reward of the good after this life. May Almighty God commit you and all your actions to His righteous direction and to no other. For our brethren whom we sent to Scotland according to the will of your brother who has passed from this life's toil as we believe to his rest, we do not think it necessary to ask your protection, since we are not ignorant of your kindness and good-will.