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Poems
St Paulinus of Nola, tr. Evelyn White, Loeb 1921; selections
Chapter 34
That thy poor friend’s loving gift may find favour with thee, think not on the rich gifts which thou sendest me. For what fit return can I make thee for those fish which the neighbouring shore supplies thee from its teeming pools, so wondrous in appearance, so diverse in shape? But for me in the deep pools amid the rocky shallows only a few shell-fish are bred among the dark seaweed. Of these I give thee a share sending across to thee twice five and twice three shells smelling of the sea’s fragrance, filled with delicious meat and substance of double hue.
I pray thee accept them gracefully and despise them not as little worth: if they are few, use great love in measuring their quantity.