Letter 21

From: Ennodius, deacon in Pavia To: Faustus Date: ~510 AD Context: A letter reporting prolonged uncertainty about Faustus's arrival — Ennodius had been awaiting a visit that kept being delayed. To Faustus, from Ennodius. For a long time I was in suspense about the arrival of Your Greatness, uncertain whether the delay meant a change of plans or merely the ordinary frustrations of travel. Now that I have word, the suspense is resolved — but the desire to see you is not. Come when you can. In the meantime, letters must substitute for the conversation I crave. Farewell.

XXI. FAVSTO ENNODIVS. Diu super aduentu amplitudinis uestrae ancipiti mens mea pependit indicio. sed postquam me diuina misericordia ab huiusmodi anxietate laxauit, statim ad officia consueta me contuli, quamquam paginarum obsequia nec digresso ad longinqua subpresserim. his ergo ualitudinem meam indicans aegritudinem animi resero, quam de maerore contraxi. de luminum nostrorum salute sollicitor, in eo loci constitutus, ad quem difficile nuntius expectatus adlabitur. quod in solacio est, deum precor, ut nulla seruum suum patiatur amplius cura macerari, sed de reducta eorum in solidum prosperitate aestibus meis celeri medela subueniat. salutans debita seruitute precor, ut cognitis his, de quibus animus meus uaria aestimatione iactatur, sedulo mihi hilaritatem deferentium litterarum beneficio succurratis.