Letter 6: Ennodius, bishop, to the most holy Pope Symmachus.

Of Ennodius, bishop of Ticinum [Pavia], to Pope Symmachus. He exhorts him to sustain the struggle against the schismatics after the manner of a good commander. Ennodius to Pope Symmachus. 1. It belongs to a good commander to encourage in the battle line the courage of a proven soldier, so that valor, drawn on by the nourishment of praise, may in favorable engagements unlearn [the love of light, that is, any longing for safety]. [The one] whose strength is not nourished by the leader's proclamation [...]. To whom would even the less robust limbs of a raw recruit refuse themselves in the encounter, when by the testimony of his commander he sees that what he has done does not perish for him? [This] is the way by which the intent to do battle grows; as often as a deed is well [done], oblivion does not blot it out. Would that the Divinity, moved by your prayers, [might overthrow] the devil [...]. [Editorial note: In the old collection of canons which the monastery of Murbach preserves, this decree is appended next after chapter VIII of the foregoing synod, with certain words. From this it is gathered both that Symmachus took pains that what he had decreed concerning the goods of the Church not being alienated should be confirmed by a decree of the Roman senate, and that this senate acted before Theodoric, so that he might approve their own decision on the matter. Hence no one would deny that the appended law pertains especially to the foregoing matter, and that therefore it ought by no means to have been omitted here. It is to be wished that it had reached us more complete.] [...] the place which they wished to be safe [...]. EPISTLE 6 APPENDIX. EPISTLES 7. 8. 697 [...] may he [...] within! Would that he make manifest my devotion in peace [a. 507], whose zeal adversity has annulled; may his concord commend [my] service! 2. To bishop Marcellianus a legation was directed by your brother [...]; but what it accomplished, he himself has written back. As for what remains, having performed the duties of greeting, I pray that whatever is sick you may cure with healing remedy, and that, amid the secret recesses of hidden maladies, you may cut away by the spiritual sword the error which is preserved for the destruction of the people [or: which turns to general destruction]. Farewell.

Ennodii episcopi Tieinensis ad Symniachuni papam. Ut boni imperatoris instar certamen contra scMsmaticos susttneai, hortabR Ennodius Sjmmacho papae. 1. Boni imperatoris est, probatam in acie militis animarc tutem, ut fortitudo laudis pabulis invitata in secundis congres dediscat lucis aflFectum. Cujus robur ducis praeconio non nutr Quibus se denegent etiam minus valida tironis membra confiict quando rectoris testimonio videt sibi non perire quod gesserit? via est, qua ad praeliandum crescat intentiO; quotiens bene ( non delet oblivio. Utinam Divinitas vestris mota precibus diaboli veteri canonum coUectione, quam Morbacense mouasterium asservat, Um quibusdam verbis, superioris synodi capitulo VIII prozime Bubjicitar ho( cretum. Undc colligitur, et Symmachum dedisse operam, ut quod de i Ecclesiae non alienandis decreverat, senatus Romani coiisalto firmareto] seuatum iUum apud Tbeodoricum cgissc, ut suum ipsius ea de re sdton illc apx^robaret. Hinc negavcrit nemo, subnezam legem ad praemissam i dum maxime attinere, adeoque minime hic fuisse omittendam. OptaDdam ut integrior ad nos pervenisset. ntnn^ situm cui salva voluerint etr EPISTOLAB 6 APPENDIX. EPISTOLAB 7. 8. 697 *i^iunen interiiuat! Utinam devotionein meam in pace manifestet^ a. 507. oujns studium resignavit adyersitas^ illius concordia commendet seqnium! 2. Ad Marcellianum episcopum directa est a fratre^) vestro ^lzructa legatio; sed quid promoverit, ipse rescripsit. Quod restat, rxectis salutationis precor officiis, ut quidquid aegrum est, medica kidone curetis, et inter latentium secreta morborum, qui in gene- «m necem salvatur, ferro spiritali resecetis errorem. Vale.