130. TO GILBERT, ABBOT OF: Westminster.
The Letters of St. Anselm
NOTES 1. See Epp 125, 128.
2. Roscelin of Compiegne.
3. Anselm refers to his plan for a treatise about this problem which even tually matured to become the Epistola de incamatione Verbi. For the five different stages of this treatise see AOO 78*-89*.
4. Bishop Fulk of Beauvais; see Epp 125, 126, 127, 136, 160, 193.
130. TO GILBERT, ABBOT OF
WESTMINSTER.
Anselm still grieves over his separation from his friend Gilbert Crispin who was made Abbot of Westminster in 1085. He replies to various points in his letter.
TO HIS FRIEND, BROTHER, FELLOW-MONK, FATHER, BELOVED
FRIEND, THE REVEREND ABBOT GILBERT1: BROTHER ANSELM,
WISHING HIM LASTING HOLINESS WITH PROSPERITY IN A LONG
LIFE AND UNFAILING BLISS IN ETERNITY.
IF I WISHED TO WRITE about the affection of our mutual love I would be afraid either of appearing to those ignorant of it to overstep the truth, or of being forced to detract some thing from truth. I often perceived how great and how true this affection was when it displayed itself face to face, lip to lip, embrace to embrace; now when I contemplate how he in whom I delighted with such joy is irretrievably lost,
I realize it more. For just as someone who has great pos sessions knows not what it is to be in need—as someone who feasts on delicacies knows not what it is to be hungry— so someone who finds pleasure in a friend knows not the languor of the soul without one. Since, therefore, it is not possible to express adequately in writing what we mean to each other, and since I am not speaking to someone who is ignorant of this, leaving all this aside for the moment,
I pray with you that when we see each other again we should once more revive, face to face, lip to lip, embrace to embrace, our unforgotten love.
The Letters of St. Anselm I thank God for the details of your daily life which your charity deigned to give me because I can see nothing there that is not praiseworthy. With regard to that brother whom you brought back to the cloister, I grant what you wish so long as nothing else presents itself to you or us; but dis cussing his secrets, your prudence should advise him as you see fit. As to the injury you mentioned, I am amazed and grieve with you. I give thanks to your honor and your good will that your charity deigns to apologize for not being able to do what you wish. Concerning Dom Lanfranc21 do not know how nor am I able to do anything better than what
I did and said in England.3 Farewell. c. 1086/89.
NOTES 1. See Epp 84, 106.
2. Anselm is possibly hinting at some breach of the Rule by young Lanfranc which eventually led to his intrusion as Abbot of Saint
Wandrille in 1089/90, after the death of Abbot Gerbert on 4 Septem ber 1089; see Epp 25, 75, 137, 138; and Rule 1:285. After this affair young
Lanfranc is not mentioned again.
3. During his second visit to England from mid-Lent to just after Whitsun 1086; see Epp 108, 118.