24. To The Monk Henry.
The Letters of St. Anselm
24. TO THE MONK HENRY.
Anselm wonders why Henry of Christ Church, Canterbury, did not visit Bee either on his way to Rome or on his return journey.
TO HIS FELLOW-MONK AND BROTHER HENRY1;: BROTHER ANSELM,
GREETING.
WE WERE SURPRISED AND GRIEVED that you passed close by us instead of staying with us on your journey to Rome, until we heard that this was forbidden you on go ing but permitted on returning. Therefore we, Dom Abbot,
I and the other brothers and those who love you, rejoicing in a false hope, awaited your arrival until, suffering real desperation, we learned you had crossed over to England.
Yet, if I know your love well, I do not believe this was done without some reasonable cause. Hence, that no suspicion may remain about your having either contempt or slight love for our monastery and your brothers—which God forbid! — please let me know how I should answer them about why your love passed by and did not visit us either when coming or going. For just as I want you to do nothing which is not advantageous to you, so I do want no one to imagine any thing about you which is not befitting you. Let me, your friend, also know if you achieved anything in the matter concerning which you soul was, as I know by the words of others as well as by your letter, very anxious, namely, to visit your relations,2 so I may know whether I should suffer or rejoice with you. c. 1070-1078.
NOTES 1. See Ep 5.
2. See Ep 17.