E05752: Venantius Fortunatus, in a poem to Gregory (bishop of Tours 573-594), on behalf of a girl accused of theft and sold into slavery, recounts how he met her parents praying at a tree miraculously raised up by *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050); in the territory of Tours, in 573/576. Poem 5.14, written in Latin in Gaul, 573/576.

Venantius Fortunatus, Poems 5.14 (Ad eundem [= Gregorium episcopum] de commendatione puellae, 'To the same person, in recommendation of a girl'), 1-18

Cum graderer festinus iter, pater alme Gregori,
   qua praecessoris sunt pia signa tui,
quod fertur convulsa iacens radicitus arbor
   Martini ante preces exiluisse comis,
quae fidei merito nunc stat spargendo medellas,               5
   corpora multa medens, cortice nuda manens:
fletibus huc genitor genetrixque puella,
   voce inplendo auras et lacrimando genas.
Figo pedem, suspendo aurem: mihi panditur ore
   vix per singultus vendita nata suos.                             10
Quaero adhuc: questus perhibet nullo indice furto
   furti ex obiectu hanc pater ire iugo:
se voluisse dare et iurantes ordine testes
   nomine quemque tenens, nec potuisset egens.
Non aderat iudex, erat accusator adurguens:                 15
   hic ego quid facerem, posse vetante, sacer?
   'Si pius hic', dixi, 'praesens Martinus adesset,
nil permisisset perdere pastor ovem'.

'As I was hurrying on my way, kindly father Gregory, where there is evidence of your predecessor’s holiness – for they say that a tree lying flat with its roots torn out, at the prayers of Martin burst forth in foliage, and now by the virtue of his faith stands tall dispensing healing, curing many bodies, though quite bereft of bark – (7) here I encountered a father and mother in tears for their daughter, filling the air with their voices and their cheeks with tears. I halt my step, I cock my ear; with difficulty through their sobs I make out their story: a daughter sold into slavery. (11) I continue my questions; the father laments, though without evidence of theft she lost her freedom: theft was the charge. He wanted to provide witnesses, taking the oath in due order – everyone was listed by name – but he was poor and could not. (15) There was no judge there to hear the case, only a vehement accuser. What could I have done, holy father, I have no power? "If saintly Martin were present here with us," I said, "he, as a shepherd, would not allow his sheep to be lost."'

Fortunatus then asks Gregory of Tours to examine the case and help restore the girl to her father.

Text: Leo 1881, 121. Translation: Roberts 2017, 337 and 339.