Letter 2011: What am I to do when you write things that demand a reply, and yet your own foresight has already anticipated...

What am I to do, when you write things that demand to be answered, and by the gift of foreknowledge granted you by an obliging heaven, you narrate whatever another's breast could have explored? It is clear that it is beyond human capacity to fill the roles of two persons thus, but let these things be referred to him who bestowed the gift. Yet I did not promise to return an oration by which the ancient Tullius would be thrust into shadow — I, who had returned the received quire with greater speed than suited my talent, serving fidelity while I neglected what could have been profitable. Nothing of that venerable composition remained with me then, except what I had secretly stolen — with memory as my thief — for the fruit, as I estimate, of a good reputation from one who demanded it back. I do not wish to say what quality that was which I returned unwillingly, or what quality that which I loved, lest you believe I am manifestly alleging that you predicted what should be alleged without loss to yourselves. Yet my lord Avienus's compassion, though he is still a beginner, has proved ready to come to the aid of my cares in this matter: a certain notebook, which could remain with him, has thrust upon me the purple of nobility. I have had it up to now; from it I have both spoken and been wise. But since I have been commanded to lose even the benefits of others, I shall send it by the bearer who follows. I do not recognize in myself — on account of my sins — such goodwill that I should not withhold what would fortify the talents of outsiders, trusting too much; knowing that I mix with men what assails my calling by way of caution. I speak the truth, with him as witness to whom all things are known: not even torments compel me to give those compositions of yours — celebrated by the mouth of the world — to anyone, which I believe happens through my own ignorance. My lord, displaying my greeting to your reverence, I attest that neither negligence assails my judgment nor flattery corrupts my affection.

XI. ENNODIVS FAVSTO. Quid faciam, quando rescribenda uos scribitis et pro bono praescientiae caelo uobis obsequente concessae quicquid alienum pectus potuit inuestigare narratis ? liqueto supra hominem esse duorum sic implere personas, sed ad illum referantur ista, qui praestitit. ego tamen remittere me orationem, per quam in umbram antiquus Tullius trudetur, non promisi, quippe qui acceptum quaternionem sub maiori quam ingenio meo commodabat celeritate reddideram, dum fidei seruiens quae ad profectum poterant pertinere contempsi. nihil apud me de ueneranda tunc dictione remanserat, nisi quod ad fructum, quantum aestimo, bonae opinionis reposcenti memoria furante subduxeram. nolo dicere, quale fuerit quod inuitus restitui, quale etiam quod amaui, ne manifesto credatis uos alleganda sine sui dispendio praedixisse. curis meis tamen super hac parte serenae lucis meae domni Auieni miseratio licet incipientis tamen iam probata succurrit: quandam scedulam, quae 2 canna Pb, canos BLV 3 lacrjmoso Pb, lacrimo BL V addixi fort. 9 terrqua L subtraat B XI. 12 qA rescribenda T in ras . 13 quidquid B 14 liqueto LPV, liquido B, liquet hoc (hoc in ras. m. 3) T, liquet b, liquet 6 Sirm . 16 praestetit B 17 antiquis B1 21 remanserat (s eorr.) L quod B, om. LPTVb 82 resposcenti B 24 amaui | aui ne (Ai in mg . postea add.) B; amoui fort . 25 haDe L 26 domni B, domini LPTVb 27 succurra ̍ t V scedolam B ipsi remanere potuit, ostrum mihi nobilitatis ingessit: hanc hactenus habui, inde sum et locutus et sapui. sed postquam et aliena beneficia iussus sum perdere, perlatore eam sequente destinabo, non eam in me pro peccatis meis intellegens beniuolentiam, ut quod externorum muniret ingenia bene credulus non negarem, sciens me hominibus quod inpugnat propositum cautione miscere. uerum dico illo teste, cui nota sunt omnia, a me illas mundi ore celebratas dictiones uestras, quod credo inscitia mea fieri, cuiquam dari nec tormenta conpellunt. domine mi, salutationem reuerentiae uestrae exhibens contestor, quia neque neglegentia iudicium meum neque adulatio inpugnat affectum.