Letter 3029: Whenever the sluggishness of the senses threatens to overwhelm me, the urgency of friendship pulls me back.

Whenever words serve as the pledges of our sentiments, speech paints for itself upon the pages a beloved likeness, as though in a kind of mirror, and converses with it in a living exchange, and rejoices in the sweet image that complies with its longings. No abundance of the mouth, to be sure, can express what is conceived in a heart bound by friendship; and although words come more easily than benefits, and nothing exists that cannot grow through the ambition of speaking, yet, in unfolding my diligence toward you, I bear witness to my parched infancy of speech. Still, I reproach your kindred soul for its silence, because, having been favored with a twofold writing, you gave no thought to a reply in return. Behold, once again I send these pages, knowing that I bestow what I am awaiting. Farewell, my lord, and address the one who loves you with that splendor by which you are renowned; cherish him with that integrity in which you prevail.

XXVIIII. ENNODIVS EVGENETI. Quotiens sensuum pignoribus uerba famulantur, quasi ia quodam speculo ita in paginis sermo sibi amicam pingit effigiem, cum qua uiua uice conloquitur et dulci simulacro desideriis obsequente gratulatur. nulla quidem conceptum foederati pectoris eloquitur oris affluentia, et cum sint faciliora uerba beneficiis nec existat quod crescere nequeat ambitione dicendi, ego in, explicanda circa uos diligentia arentem testor infantiam. unanimitatem tamen uestram taciturnitatis incersso, quod gemina nt 1 reuelatio B (eorr. m . 1) quidquam BL 2 prouiutiarum LV 4 mutatione B1, 7 coreperis B, coriperse 7 9 afluentis B nale restat T \' 10 tuse om. LPTVb animaeque Bb, animique LTV (t post corn P 11, sed quod PT2b, sed quid BLT1V 12 maior est L 14 concreditur b et Sirm. XXVIDI. 16 euaeniti B 17 sens∗um L uerba (u partm in ras.) B 18 quadam B effigiam T1 19 uice] uoce PTb 20federatiB 22 ambitione B23 inexemplica,da :4in- 20 federati B 22 ambitione B 23 inexemplicanda B infanciam unianimitatam Q 24 uram in ure T corr. m. 2, tuam b . incessu B scriptione donatus nihil de uicaria relatione cogitasti. ecce iterum paginas mitto sciens tribuere quod expecto. uale, mi domine, et amantem tui adloquere nitore quo clarus es, foue integritate qua praeuales.