thing would be that your Lordship should think that what you have
said pertains to your duty, because that would be a graver matter;
for, if your Lordship could stretch your arm so far as that, there
would be no need of any bishop in this country, except a titular
one, [3] for I do not see what remains to me if your Lordship can
do all the things which you imply in this letter. But please read
the chapter, _si ymperator_, already cited, and you will see how
far your powers extend, and what is for me to do. Your Lordship has
plenty to do in your office without extending your authority to mine,
and I have plenty to do in mine without treating of what belongs to
yours--although, since I have in my charge your Lordship's soul, not
only as a Christian but as governor, I cannot be so careless as not
often to be obliged to examine what you are doing and advise you of
what you ought to do. This your Lordship cannot do with me by virtue
of your office, although as friend and lord, as one who desires my
good, I shall be pleased to be advised by your Lordship of my faults,
which I know very well are not few. Except in what my office obliges
me to, be certain that I shall keep as far from interfering in the
matters of your government, or from giving you any trouble, as if I
were not living or were not in the country.

This has turned out a very long letter, and certainly my occupations
did not give me time for so much; but the great amount of matter
in your letter which needed to be answered left me nothing else to
do. Believe me that I am very much opposed to discussing such matter
especially when a man has to say something which may seem praise or
esteem of himself, which is a thing very unfit for those who try to
serve God. But when this is not done arrogantly, or in vanity, but
to defend the necessary truth, it is done as St. Gregory the Pope
did against the emperor Maurice, and Gelasius the Pope against the