Pastoral Rule, Dialogues & Letters 730

Gregory to Desiderius, bishop of Gaul. Since many good things concerning your endeavours had been reported to us, such gladness arose in our heart that we would by no means suffer ourselves to refuse those things which your fraternity had asked to be granted. But after this it came to us — a thing we cannot mention without shame — that your fraternity expounds grammar to certain persons. This matter we took so ill, and so vehemently spurned it, that we turned what had earlier been said into groaning and sadness, because the praises of Christ cannot be contained in one mouth together with the praises of Jove. Consider for yourself how grave and abominable it is for bishops to sing what is not fitting even for a religious layman.

And although our most beloved son the presbyter Candidus, coming afterwards and being subtly questioned about this matter, denied it and endeavoured to excuse you, nevertheless it has not yet departed from our mind that, the more execrable it is that this be told of a priest, the more it behooves that whether it be so or not be ascertained by strict and truthful satisfaction. Wherefore if after this it becomes clear that the things reported to us were false, and it is established that you do not devote yourself to trifles and secular letters, we give thanks to our God, who did not permit your heart to be stained by the blasphemous praises of unspeakable things; and we shall then treat, secure and without any doubt, of granting the things you ask.

As for the monks whom we have sent to you, together with our most beloved son the presbyter Laurentius and the abbot Mellitus, to our most reverend brother and fellow-bishop Augustine, we commend them to you in all things, so that, with your fraternity giving them comfort, no delay may be able to hinder them from setting out.