An Old Pupil

Dulcissimo filio meo Nathanaeli Albinus Pater salutem. Obsecro te, fili mi charissime, ut vita tua fiat et conversatio honesta, et religiosa, atque sine omni reprehensione, in quantum fieri possit, coram Deo et coram hominibus, ut intelligatur quanta eruditione edoctus fuisti. Sanctitas tua et venerabilis religio laus est mihi apud homines et merces apud Deum. Non veniant coronatae columbae ad fenestras tuas, quae volant per cameras palatii: Nec equi indomiti irrumpant ostia camere: nec tibi sit ursorum saltantium hora, sed clericirum psallentium; sint verba in veritate modesta, et vox temperata, et silentia considerata; et cui dicas, diligenter examinatum. Nec te alienis immisce dissensionibus, nec te praetereat horarum psalmodia santarum; nec missarum maxima virtus in corpore Christi, nec charitas desit. Legatur ante te lectio sancta, per quam fieri possint ad convivas verba praedicationis. Sit tuum velle et nolle ad mentis arcem constitutum, ne poenitere cogaris de quolibet facto. Esto pauperum pater, ut de pane tuo manducent, quia in paupere Christus reficitur. Quam felix mensa, in qua est conviva Christus. Esto irreprehensibilis et morum dignitate, magnificus in sanctitate, laudabilis in ratione dati et accepti, jucundus in verbis, gaudens in aspectu, laetus ad miseros, largus ad pauperes, omnibus omnia factus, ut ex omnibus, Christi gratia consequente, mercedem habere merearis. Alcuinus, Epistola CXXXVI, Ad Nathanaelim Source: Migne PL 100.375c-376b

To my most dearest son Nathaniel, greetings from Father Albinus. I beg you, my dearest son, that your life and conduct be honest and holy and without any fault, in as much as it is able to be, in the presence of God and of men, that it might be understood that you were raised with much education. Your sanctitude and your venerable faith is my praise among men and my reward with God. May crowned doves not come to your windows, which fly through the rooms of the palace, nor may wild horses burst through the doors of your chambers, nor may there be time for you for the dancing of bears, but rather for the Psalms of clerics. Let your words be modest and truthful, your voice mild, and your silence considered, and ponder carefully that of which you would speak. Do not embroil yourself in unusual arguments, nor let yourself be removed from the holy hours of prayer, nor fail to take great strength in the body of Christ, nor let love fail. Let the holy book be read before you that the words of preaching be your companions. May there be a citadel built up in your mind in things pleasing and things displeasing, lest you be driven to regret what you do. Be a father to the poor, that they eat of your bread, for in the poor Christ is refreshed. How happy the table at which Christ is a guest. Be flawless and upright in conduct, eminent in holiness, praiseworthy in what you give and receive, pleasant in speech, joyful in aspect, cheerful with the wretched, generous to the poor, doing everything for everyone, that from everything, with the grace of Christ, you are worthy to receive reward. Alcuin, Letter 136, to Nathaniel (Fredegisus of Tours)