Letter 2016: It would have been proper for the distinguished Panfronius to carry his own introduction — a man of his stature...

It would indeed have been proper, with the distinguished Pamfronius traveling, for the service of a letter to be transferred to the duties of living speech and not to burden him with an epistolary load, whom it befell to know not so much my words as my devotion. But his hands are given over to the command of these duties. A searcher of hidden souls demands a supporting page, and therefore, lest anything of my service should be lacking before him, I have granted a letter — if not necessary for recommendation, then accommodating to his commands. For with what words should one commend a man who may hope for everything from the grace of Your Greatness? It will turn out that the words of one who petitions are narrower than the merits of the bearer. For what aid can you furnish to one on whose behalf, however much you have asked, he deserves more? Therefore these words are joined for the exercise of my pen, not for the benefit of the traveler. It delights my soul to remember you under whatever occasion, although I give nothing by this writing to the one named. Yet behold, since I have been so commanded, I append the words of introduction that are furnished to strangers. Aid the one who seeks you out personally, strengthening his confidence with your condescension: let him find whatever he anticipates by hope, so that if he is a poor estimator of his own merits, he may refer to me whatever he has obtained. Paying the duty of greeting, I beg that you consider me worthy of being relieved by frequent addresses, to whom amid the burdens of sorrow there can be no help besides the consolation of your voice.

XVI. ENNODIVS FAVSTO. Par quidem fuerat sublimi uiro Pamfronio commeante ministerium paginae ad uiui sermonis officia transferri nec illum epistulari fasce onerari, quem non tam uerba mea contigit nosse quam studia. sed eius in his officiis manus dantur imperio. postulat adiutricem paginam latentium scrutator animorum, et ideo, ne quid apud eum nostri deesse contingat obsequii, scripta concessi, etsi commendationi non necessaria, 1 mutatio adceesit B, a ̉ ccescit mntatio LV cum mutatione (cum in rae. m. 2) T, commutatione b 2 innecesso B 3 effensa T IU sti inlesa BV dedi P, dedisti b 4 innocentem innocentem B 5 ezprobatio T1V respicitur Sirm . 6 inquiritur Sirm., inspi- ciatur Pb omni] dl T ducidinie B 7 negligentiam BT 9 presentas L 11 consideranti T\' 12 uellis BV 13 praecum B adsiduetate B XVI. 18 panfronio T comeante T 19 pagine T 8. I. m. 2 20 bonerari L2T V, honorari BLl contegit B 21 studea L\' 22 postolat B 23 ideo L quit T\' contigat B 24 obsequii. T praeceptis eius adcommoda. quibus enim sermonibus prosequendus est cui totum magnitudinis uestrae licet sperare de gratia ? ita eueniet, ut angustiora sint supplicantis uerba quam merita perlatoris. quid enim praestes iuuaminis illi, pro quo quantumuis poposceris, plus meretur ? ergo ad stili exercitium iunguntur haec, non ad beneficium conmeantis. iuuat animum sub quauis occasione uestri meminisse, licet nominato scriptione nil tribuam. ecce tamen quia ita iussus sum, illa quae praestantur extraneis insinuationis dicta subiungo. iuuate uos peculiariter expetentem, fiduciam eius dignatione roborantes: quicquid spe praecipit inueniat, ut si meritorum suorum angustus aestimator est, ad me referat quicquid fuerit consecutus. obsequium salutationis inpendens supplico, ut crebris me releuandum ducatis adfatibus, cui inter maeroris sarcinas nullum praeter oris uestri solacia potest esse subsidium.