26. To Abbot O.
The Letters of St. Anselm
26. TO ABBOT O.
Anselm apologizes that he cannot send the requested book of the Moralia in Job because it is being copied at Caen.
TO HIS REVEREND LORD AND FATHER, THE VENERABLE ABBOT O.:
BROTHER ANSELM, TOTALLY HIS.
THE BOOK OF THE MORALIA IN JOB which your holi ness requested through your messenger we would indeed gladly send you according to your desire, if only we had it here. The lord Abbot of Caen has it, and another copy is being made there for him besides the copy being made for lord Archbishop Lanfranc. Wherefore, do not think that we do not want to lend it to you; and lest the kindness of your recently acquired love towards me be upset in any way,
I write our excuses to you to let you know our good inten tions, that as soon as we receive the book, we will gladly hand it to your paternity's messenger, according to your wish. For not only in this matter but in everything which I can, I wish to be prepared for your service. c. late 1072/early 1073.
27. TO LANFRANC,
ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.
On behalf of Abbot Vitalis ofBemay Anselm begs Archbishop Lanfranc to grant mercy to someone who has sinned against him.
TO HIS LORD AND VENERABLE FATHER, ARCHBISHOP LANFRANC:
HIS BROTHER ANSELM, WHAT IS HIS.
LORD ABBOT VITALIS1 asked our lord abbot very hum bly in his letter to intercede with your piety that you deign to have mercy on a certain man of the same lord abbot Vitalis who is being held captive in the king's prison and is to be