Letter 6013: Another person's need makes me importunate, because I owe it to those in difficulty to speak on their behalf.

13. Ennodius to Avitus. Another man's need makes me importunate, since I owe a word on behalf of one who entreats me. The rule of undertaking an intercession refutes any charge of greed; for a burden is added to my conscience if I should reject a suppliant. The son of Sabinus, of esteemed memory, presented himself on the appointed day to await the verdict; but he was compelled, out of regard for his own advantage, to seek out his little farm, because both the surety and the executor were absent on the fixed day. When I had forsworn any further dealing in the aforesaid business, the bearer pressed me to debase myself yet more, so that I might dispatch messengers to him, to the end that he should present himself once again, which I signify that I have done. Now, as I offer the dutiful tribute of my greeting, it lies within the power of Your Eminence to show, in the case of the aforesaid man, what the justice you cherish, and what the trust you have given, deserve.

XIII. AVITO ENNODIVS. Inportunum me \'facit aliena necessitas, quia debeo pro deprecante sermonem. lex propositi intercessionis refutat auaritiam. nam ad conscientiae meae sarcinam iungitur, si respuam supplicantem. expectandae memoriae Sabini filius ad diem constitutum sententiam praestolaturus occurrit: sed agellum suum utilitatis consideratione est coactus expetere, quia et fideiussor et exsecutor definita die defuerunt. abiurantem me de praefati negotio ultra uilescere baiulus inpulit, ut ad eum nuntios, quatenus rursus occurreret, destinarem, quod me fecisse significo. nunc salutationis meae dicens obsequia in potestate est culminis uestri, in pradicti causa quid iustitia quam fouetis, quid fiducia quam dedistis mereatur, ostendere. XII. 2 Incip liberio B, Enuodias Liberio Sirm. engeniti B 4 diac B, om. T 6 praefert] preces b 7 archani T alliganda BLb snbpremit B 10 integritas] explic add. B . hanc ejpistvlam in Itbris BLTVb seq ̰ uitur alterum Epist. V 26 repetitae exemplum . XIII. 12 itam auito BLTV 13 importunium T1 fecit V 16 exspectande L 17 praestu.latunis B occurret Bb 18 consideratione Bb, ratione LTV et Sinn . 19 execator Bsb deftnita] defuncta Sirm . 20 uilescere Tb, uiliscere BLV Ut Bb, om. LTV 21 nuntius L, noncius b quatanas Bb, qaatinnB LTV 98 predicti V, praedicto Bb 24 foaetes B ostenderej explic add. B