Letter 4010: It was not presumption that brought me to the duty of writing to you, for to address a man of great power and virtue...

To Trasimundus, the Illustrious, from Ennodius. It was not presumption that brought me to the duty of writing to you, for to address a man of great power and virtue is no act of boldness when the cause is worthy and the affection genuine. I come to you with a matter that deserves your attention, and I trust Your Illustriousness will receive it with the wisdom and fairness that are the marks of your office. I commend both the matter and myself to your benevolence. Whatever service I can offer in return, command it freely. Farewell.

X. TRASIMVNDO V. I. ENNODIVS. Non temeritas me ad paginale duxit officium, quando adomnem communionem subditum suum regiae stirpis germen inuitat. est enim haec claritas dominorum inserta natalibus, ut culmina sua dignatione subliment. uultis quasi aequales tractare a 1 soiboit B tingoant BLV, tingant PTb; em. Sirm . 2 muricae L ezibuit TV 3 cochleis Tb solum T1 5 me nrbanitate uires LPTfb 6 uotata B clarioris (clari in ras.) B sncci T, faci Pb 8 hinc] huic T ut uidetur 9 preuium B 10 notitia B Q. C. V, uc BL, uero T, nunc Pb 11 loquor L a. l. m. ant . iccirco T imperasse L 13 ignoraret Tl 15 penitralia B 16 credit B 17 fouetes B1 20 peasaait B aerborum] fiait add. B X. 22 Y. I. om. T 28 ofm T 21 comuniooem V 26 dignatione (tione s. I. m. 2) T famulos, ut ab ipsa uobis per amorem condicione plus debeant. unde, piissime domine, obsequium exhibens cum generalitate soluendum significo me ad aliqua suggerenda perlatorem praesentium destinasse. uos effectu donate supplicem, quia spe fultus precator accessi.