Letter 3003: When the opportunity to write is both personal and friendly, why should I hold back from the page as though I lacked...

III. Ennodius to his lord Faustus. Since an occasion for writing presents itself, both a domestic one and one of friendship, why should I refrain from the page as though I lacked a letter-carrier, especially since the diligence of letters is wont often to procure replies for me? To this zeal there has joined itself, as a companion, the petition of the honorable man Constantius, your brother and a man devoted to you, who desires to bind by my good offices that industry of his by which he has become known among you, my lords, as becomes an effective man. For he transfers his own labor to another's jurisdiction who wishes to owe to letters of recommendation that which he deserves. Yet I have given my hands to his prayers, and on behalf of his desire, taking the occasion of displaying my humility, I have prolonged my writing, praying God that with all [...] speed he may exalt for me the tidings of your health and prosperity; nevertheless let your greatness, out of consideration for me, accompany the man named with a twofold favor, since I am not an unworthy petitioner.

III. DOMNO SVO FAVSTO ENNODIVS. Cum scribendi occasio et domestica et amica subpeditet, quare a paginis temperem tamquam indigus perlatoris, maxime cum sedulitas litterarum responsa mihi soleat saepe praestare? huic se studio comitem dedit honorabilis uiri ueneratoris uestri fratris Constanti postulatio, qui industriam suam, qua apud uos domnos, ut efficacem decet, innotuit, meis desiderat beneficiis subiugare. transcribit enim ad aliena iura sudorem suum qui debere uult commendaticiis quod meretur. dedi tamen manus precibus et pro eius desiderio sub occasione exhibendae humilitatis scripta prorogaui deum rogans, ut sub omni 1 ta lamentioni B, lamentationis L 3 quid om. B senseri- O mna L mns ex a ? corr. m. 2 feriat B, a feriato TV 4 plantibus T\' mandantur T 5 nunquam B 6 neteriscere B, neterascere T1 7 consolatnr B 10 occiaum L\' ut uidetur i III. 13 d6o B 14 subpedetet B 15 a B in mg. add . temperiem T indigus Bb, indiias V, indictus LP, indiciis T maxima S B 16 sepae B 17 neneratores B, uenatoris LPb 18 fratres B constantii T 19 apnt B domd nos scripsi, domnus BLPTVb 19 decit B\' 21 commendatiis T, cdmentatiis L 22 exhibende B 28 humilitatis (il ita ras.) B deum] deifi T caeleritate B celeritate nuntios me uestrae ualitudinis et prosperitatis adtollat nominatum tamen pro mei consideratione magnitudo uestra gemino, m indignus precator non- sum, fauore comitetur.