Letter 31

From: Ennodius, deacon in Pavia To: Avienus Date: ~519 AD Context: A letter reflecting on the quality of letters themselves — Ennodius argues that even imperfect correspondence is better than none. Ennodius to Avienus. Although the quality of letters cannot always match the quality of the affection behind them, the attempt is never wasted. An imperfect letter from a devoted friend is worth more than a perfect silence from an indifferent one. I offer you the former and hope to receive the same. Farewell.

XXXI. ENNODIVS AVIENO. Quamuis epistularum qualitas pro ingeniis conponatur et saepe sollemnitati militet, nonnumquam affectionis testetur indicia, quas aliquando dictat sinceritas, plerumque fuci similis concinnatio, quae candorem imaginata diligentiae urbanitate qua tegitur innotescit, dum fabricatis nudata tegminibus intra uelamen aperitur: ego tamen in paginis speculum puto esse conscientiae, per quas amicitiam discernere absentia uix praesumit: clarum est tamen, quid in illis simplex, quid artifex 1 nil T 3 nitorem Pb 4 pieuales B XXX. 7 iniocunda BPTb 8 scribis.. L 10 putas scripsi, putans BLTTVb ullum] nullum Pb sed in mg . al. illud Pm. 2 11 amori b d Sinn. nulle B domM B, domine LPTVb 12 quidquid B 18 ignotus] immotQB T 14 eontemptus T 15 uale] ulae L a 8 . 1. m. 2 XXXI. 20 sepe B soHempnitati LPV 23 fabricatas B 25 amiticiam T taii] iudex fort . \' preaumet B sermo deferat. scindit nubes eloquii mens dictationis interpres : cito ad intellectum peruenit falcibus suis uerborum calle reserato. ergo his ualde delector officiis, quibus panditur sinceritas nec occasio se interserit secura fallendi. gaudeo tamen mihi uel causas scribendi uel perlatores accidere, ut sub hac frequentia meo uoto satisfaciam et pudorem uestrum onerem, nisi a uobis suscepta redduntur. salue, mi domine, et in sententiam meam affectu imperante concede. uale.