In Leontium Episcopum Redditum Burdegalensi Ecclesiae Acrostichis

Concerning Leontius, Bishop Restored to the Church of Bordeaux, an Acrostic. Let every age acknowledge Leontius, the bishop, the prize of Bordeaux, restored by a heavenly gift. With a double-tongued and crafty mouth, he fostered envious crime, bearing a bitter message, this man now buried in the tomb. He who brought forth the sad funeral could not conceal himself, and although he ceased to harm, his insane life came to light. Deceived by harmful guile, he laments his frustrated crimes, while what he thought were sorrows have been turned into joys. He set forth savage examples, to be trampled upon for all time, so that he might now write decrees for himself while the bishop was alive. This feigned thing happened, to be avoided by a chaste heart, so that while the bishop survived he might presume, after his death what was scarcely lacking. A priest burdens the order who seeks the episcopate in this way; he who embraces the precepts flees the ambition for honor. If a place is due to someone, let him ascend the step under compulsion, not seeking it for himself with cunning, but by the gift of Christ. He is unfit who wishes to prefer himself to the Church: for to take up a sacred office is a divine election.

Dear priest Hilary did not seek the office; Martin fled from it; Gregory barely endured it. Laws reject ambition; every invader is driven out; what the courts reject, let the Church avoid as a crime. The struggles were malicious, yet not concerning his own see; what it does not wish to suffer, let a wicked mind not inflict. Nor does he linger long in this murmuring; while they plot to succeed him, the priest who was returns. With the people praying forthwith, while no one believes it, he is restored; the joys that flow after sorrow are greater than these. The city favored him with applause, to which happiness was restored; the one it had mourned as bereaved, it received back in anxiety. He whom it scarcely thought restored, anticipated by a favorable vow; when a wondrous thing is seen, sight is accustomed to be stunned. The shepherd gathers again the flock, caught in error from the path; with the shepherd's stronghold known, the sheepfolds rejoiced. He took up the rank at the time when he returned: on that day, who would not proclaim that this happened by a heavenly gift?

Never before was the people so delighted by a reward, as they were when he was made, as they rejoiced when they received their bishop. Come, citizens, applaud, and add vows to vows; that the miracles which have been wrought may keep him safe in the heavens. May Christ, whom he restored, hover about him with serene light, so that his grace may increase threefold: in reward, in life, in glory. Let the lowest resound in song, whoever does not begrudge God; it is to his praise that he snatches a bishop from the mouth of death. With a zealously faithful heart, it is no longer shameful to speak the truth: these small gifts we give to the most noble Pope Leontius.