Letter 23

From: Ennodius, deacon in Pavia To: Senarius Date: ~512 AD Context: A letter arguing that affection loses its strength when weakened by silence. Ennodius to Senarius. Affection loses its vigor when debilitated by silence. The heart that is not exercised through correspondence grows weak, just as a muscle unused grows stiff. I write to you as therapy — for both of us. Do not let the bond between us atrophy. A letter from you would restore what silence has begun to erode. Farewell.

XXIII. ENNODIVS SENARIO. Perdit affectio ualitudinem silentii debilitata torpore nec ad usum suum diligentiae cursus exuberat, si nudetur communione conloquii. muta caritas pene repraesentat speciem non amantis, et odiorum simulacrum est non aperire quod diligas contestatione sermonis. ista sublimitati tuae coram positus intimaui, cum ad solacium absentiae meae litteras promittebas. at nunc quae animum uestrum mei inuasit obliuio, ut nullas 3 esse] eBt L 4 exhibitur B 6 quidquid B 8 solatio LT solet] debet Sirm . 9 querellaram B 11 occupationem B\' 12 significet B replicabo V bo in ras. m. 1 14 amorem T1 Bcribtionis B epistulariae V\' (u in 0 corr. m. 1) 15 ingesto T* 16 mihi BL V 17 oblegatus B 18 iuditio PT XXIII. 21 ualitudine L ut uidetur silenti* L i eras . 23 pene om. T speciem T in ras. m. 2 24 simolacrum B 26 solatium BT 27 ad B per tanta temporum spatia, quae bonam ualitudinem uestram significarent, litteras suscepissem, ne de amoris credo testimonio animorum indices epistulas conuenirem? inreligiosum ergo circa amantem tui in meliorem partem uerte propositum et ad memoriam promissae fidei scripta transmitte. domine mi, salutationis debita soluens precor, ut si uos in antiquae circa me dignationis statu pagina directa reppererit, responsa mereatur, quia. puto inter nos gemina uincula disrumpi non posse caritatis et sanguinis.