Letter 8016: I have not forgotten my debt to you, nor have I withdrawn from the duties that affection requires.

Ennodius to Barbara. It was not because I was forgetful of my obligation that I held back from my duties, nor was it out of contempt for what is established that I suspended my chattering from its display of deference. But after I returned from the city, at once various illnesses and everything that summons one to death pressed hard upon me. Truly, my lady, so may glad things befall you and yours, for as a witness of the ancient mystery our Christ once again, though I am a sinner and not such as that man who earned to be called His friend, yet again called Lazarus forth from the tomb. There is a oneness of deed amid the distance between the persons; and the greatness of the divine work is now all the greater, because what that man earned has fallen to me undeservedly. This was the reason that recalled me from the carrying out of my duty. After I was brought back to life, however, I turned myself at once to discharging the services owed to you, praying to God that He may guard you and yours with help from on high. I promise to myself, and to my own desires, that the office once attained will summon you, together with your happiness and joy, to the watch-duties at court that will satisfy my prayers. Do not, my lady, withdraw yourself from this labor, from this burden. Let the provinces behold the good things of the Roman state, and let those who are scarcely shaped by admonitions be formed by examples through the good things that God has bestowed upon you. Yet I ask, with the reverence of a greeting duly offered, that you relieve me with the most longed-for address; but do not allow another to dictate the things that you will write to me: so may your prayer never be turned away from obtaining its request.

XVI. ENNODIVS BARBARAE. Non ego debiti inmemor ab officiis temperaui nec constituta despiciens garrulitatem meam ab obsequii exhibitione suspendi. 1 imcommodis B 2 uidebantur restitute B 3 scantae B 5 praecibus B XV. 9 processerint B 10 est] et T, aest B1 nimis] minus Sinn . 11 magnitudini (postr . i in ras.) B laebat me∗∗∗∗ B 13 delitisceret BLXTV 14 absentiam (abse in ras.) B 15 exsuperit B 16 filis amationis effuasimae B 17 imptiens LTY, impartiens b 18 notitiae scripsi, potitiae BLV, potitie P, potentie T, pueritiae b 19 mantipia L 20 praecidentibus B discenIdentem B n in fine lineae postea add. sed m. 1 21 offere B 22 inperare B XVI. 24 barbare BT 25 temporaui (po in ras:) B 26 obsequi B sed postquam ab urbe regressus sum, continuo me uariae aegritudines et quicquid ad mortem uocat artauit. uere, domna mea, sic uobis uestrisque laeta contingant, quia ad testimonium ueteris mysterii Christus noster iterum quamuis peccatorem nec ut illum, qui amicus dici meruit, sed rursus uocauit Lazarum de sepulcro. est facti unitas in distantia personarum, eo nunc amplior magnitudo diuini operis, quia quod ille meruit mihi cessit indebite. haec causa me ab officii promulgatione reuocauit. postquam tamen ad uitam reductus sum, continuo me ad seruitia uobis soluenda conuerti, rogans deum, ut uos uestrosque superno tueatur auxilio. promitto mihi etiam et desideriis meis, quod cum felicitate uestra et gaudio ad comitatenses excubias, quae uotis meis satisfaciat, dignitas adepta uos euocet. noli, domna, huic te labori, huic oneri submouere. uideant bona Romanae ciuitatis prouinciae, et quae monitis uix instituuntur per bona, quae uobis deus contulit, formentur exemplis. rogo tamen reuerentia salutationis exhibita, ut expectatissimo me releuetis alloquio, sed nec alterum dictare patiamini quae ad me scribetis: sic numquam ab impetratione oratio uestra pellatur.