A letter from Hildebert of Lavardin (1101?)

Translated letter:

Poverty has a shameless face; it knows no shame when there might be help. Poverty urges to crime and intercedes for mercy. Forgive therefore if at its urging I ask beyond my deserts. You teach me to hope beyond my deserts who do not fail to give beyond deserts, if you ask what or with what confidence I ask. I need a chausuble. You promised it to me. And I think you will not break your promise who hasten to give even what is not promised. Fare well.

Original letter:

Attrittae frontis est egestas; nihil pudet, dummodo juvet. Egestas et ad crimen urget et intercedit ad veniam. Ignosces igitur si quid, ea urgente, supra meritum postulabo. Doces me sperare majora meritis, quae meritis majora largiri non desistis. Si quaeris quid, aut qua fiducia postulem. Planeta indigeo. Eam mihi promisisti. Sicut arbitror, non deseres promissum, quae etiam non promissa festinas erogare. Vale.

Historical context:

Hildebert asks Adela for the chausuble she had promised him.

Printed source:

PL171 ep.3.2 c284

Date:

1101?