Letter 8039: If you have deigned to read these lines, then the old bond between us still holds — and that is all I needed to know.

Ennodius to Hormisdas the deacon. If the regard once promised toward me were to endure, it would be confirmed by a frequency of letters: those who have been raised to the heights by a prosperous turn of events scarcely regard their humble friends. It is a grievous thing if the bonds of affection should lapse along with the hope of better fortune: that which flatters us in accordance with our wishes ought not to prejudice our devotion. If, however, you keep any measure of goodwill toward me, if the spark of the love you promised still lives, I commend Beatus, a most noble young man, the bearer of this present letter: it is just that your blessedness should bestow upon him, out of consideration for me, both a parent and a fatherland. Be his particular protector, who will soon be protector of all. My lord and brother, with the humble offering of my greeting paid, I ask that with all speed you signify in writing that you are in good health.

XXXVIIII. ENNODIUS HORMISDAE DIACONO. Si dignatio circa me promissa duraret, adsereretur frequentia litterarum: uix respiciunt humiles quos ad arcem euentus prosper euexerit: graue est, si spes secundarum rerum caritatis nexus incidat: non debet praeiudicare diligentiae quae secundum uota blanditur. si tamen aliquid circa me gratiae custoditis, si uiuit amoris scintilla polliciti, Beatum commendo nobilissimum adulescentem praesentium portitorem: cui iustum est ut consideratione mei et parentem beatitudo uestra inpendat et patriam. esto specialis tutor, omnium mox futurus. domine frater, salutationis humilitate depensa rogo, ut sub celeritate quam bene ualeatis scriptione signetis. XXXVIII. 4 generales debitur B 5 benefitia B 6 adnliacentem B baiolum B 7 accipiat Pb iuxta** L, iusto B pontiflces B 8 et moribus mereatur b 9 Stfficet B 10 crebris BTl XXXVInI. 13 hormisde T diacs B 14 adseritnr b 16 enexerit (alt . e in ras.) B 17 debit B quai B, cui LPT Vb; quae quod scripsi ad spem referendum est 18 planditur B cnstodites B 19 uiuet B sentilla B, cintilla T\' polliciti scintilla LTVb 20 adulitcentem B 22 apeciale» B, mox (x m ras.) B 24 signatis T1, resignetis fort . VI. 15