59. To The Monk Gundulf.
The Letters of St. Anselm
kindness and our charity, just as you pardoned Salvius be cause of your goodness alone. c. 1076/77.
NOTES 1. This is the first time Anselm addresses Henry as prior. Henry was made prior in 1074; see Heads 33.
2. Cf. Ps 118:72.
3. See Ep 39.
59. TO THE MONK GUNDULF.
Anselm assures Gundulf that their mutual love can only he experienced in their hearts but not expressed in writing.
BROTHER TO BROTHER, FRIEND TO FRIEND, BELOVED TO BELOVED,
ANSELM TO GUNDULF: WISHING HIM IN THIS LIFE ENDURING AND
DAILY INCREASING HOLINESS AND IN THE LIFE TO COME ETERNAL
AND EVER-ABOUNDING BLISS.
HOWEVER MANY [LETTERS] ARRIVE from Dom Gun dulf, they all say that Dom Gundulf wants a letter from me.
I know full well that in it you expect to read about nothing but the mutual affection of our love. And indeed I am sure that you do not do this to rouse your love, lest it fall asleep, by a letter or to suggest to my love how to remain watch ful. For just as you are sure of your affection for me, so you do not doubt mine for you. This is why you so eagerly de mand something in writing from me: that formed in our inmost hearts you may see written on paper what we equal ly bear; and seeing it you may read it, and reading it you may, with me, rejoice.
But what if neither eye has seen nor ear has heard the affec tion loving hearts have laid up for those who love them, but it has entered only into the human heart?1 Your experienced conscience is my witness that, except insofar as it is con-