Letter 2018: I have good reasons for what I write, and I trust you will find them compelling.

XVIII. Ennodius to Johannes. I have plausible reasons for which I assail your unanimity with the bite of my pen, foul though it be with rust, reasons which, though you abound in the goods of nature and are rich in the resources of talent, you cannot clear away. Did I ever believe that the tokens of your return could be carried more swiftly to another? Did I judge that, amid occupations of whatever kind, that heart, consecrated to its friends, would let slip its care of me? Behold, before my very eyes pages are rendered to others, and my friendly expectation is frustrated, with every scorning of my own credulity. I do not wish to fill this letter with the greater gall of reproach: for the sorrowful a curt narration suffices. In that state my mind still persists in which it admonished your greatness as you departed: it is for you, if you despise the evils of the times, to keep the harmony you promised. Farewell, my lord, and relieve one who loves you by the fellowship of conversation, so that by writing you may wipe away the grief which you see has befallen your friend through your abstinence from writing.

XVIII. ENNODIVS IOHANNI. Probabiles causas habeo, quibus unanimitatem uestram stili mei morsu quamuis rubigine sordentis incessam, quas, cum sis abundans naturae bonis et ingenii facultatibus locuples, purgare non possis. ego umquam credidi ad alium reditus uestri citius indicia posse perferri? ego curam mei inter quasuis occupationes illud amicis censui consecratum pectus excedere ? ecce ante oculos meos redduntur aliis paginae et amica expectatio sub omni credulitatis meae despectione frustratur. nolo litteras maiori obiurgationis felle conplere: sufficit tristibus stricta narratio. in eo adhuc animus meus quo magnitudinem tuam discedentem monuit persistit statu: uestrum est, si temporum mala contemnitis, promissam seruare concordiam. salue, mi domine, et amantem tui releua communione sermonis, ut scribendo deleas dolorem, quem uides amico per scriptionis abstinentiam contigisse. 1 uisitatis (ti ex sti? corr.) L 2 uniuereus LV1 3 ponetur B effuBissimae b, effasissime BLPTV 4 dominos V\'b 5 amantes BT7, amantis LPTlVb 6 obtabilem T XVIII. 8 ioanni LT 9 unianimitatem BLl 10 rubiginae B 11 habundans PT et om. LP locupee L 12 unquam T, nunquam b redditus L 18 proferri Ll 14 illut B amiciciia (ciciis in ras . m. 2) T censni con T in ras. m. 2 16 crudelita,tis T1V1, credelitatia LV2 dispectione B 17 obiurgationis maioris litteras T 18 magnitudinis T\' 19 mouit V 20 contemnetis B, contempnitia PL 22 uidis B