Letter 8036: Learning had nearly lost its claim to public attention — until you restored it.

XXXVI. Ennodius to Boethius. Your tongue had been squandering the reward of its learning, so long as you kept silent, because, while reticence shut away the charm of your eloquence, it was believed that what has recently blazed forth did not exist. You have brought into the light a new radiance of speech, and, while you make daylight in a letter, having just now attained that brilliance, you are believed to be already mature. I give thanks that by the flower of your page you compel me to the keeping of friendship. But if you were aware of my fidelity, you would feel no doubt about things that are steadfast. I fear that you may display the very uncertainty you suppose, and that, while you dread the lukewarmness of one who loves, you may grow cold in your own affection. My lord, just as I hope above, discharging the favor of a greeting, I hope that you may often direct to me the exchanges of letters, since in these duties both diligence admonishes you and perfection urges that you apply yourself fully.

XXXVI. ENNODIVS BOETIO. Perdiderat eruditionis pretium lingua, dum retices, quia, dum uenustatem eloquentiae taciturnitas includebat, credebatur non esse quod nuper efferbuit. produxisti in lucem nouum iubar eloquii et dum diem in epistula facis, splendorem recens adeptus crederis iam maturum. gratias ago, quod me ad amicitiae custodiam paginae tuae flore conpellis. sed si fidei meae esses conscius, dubitationem de rebus constantibus non haberes. timeo, ne ambiguitatem quam credis exhibeas et dum amantis teporem metuis, in adfectione frigescas. domine, ut supra salutationis gratiam persoluens spero, ut crebro ad me epistolarum commercia dirigas, quia in his muniis et diligentia te admonet et perfectio ut multus incumbas.