Letter 4018: In championing causes that deserve their day in court, a man does not deny his own services to the truth.

18. Ennodius to Faustus. In commending those to whom full integrity does not deny its own support, I do not employ many words, lest a lengthy speech should seem to have wrung out a favor as though from one disposed to refuse: for you are accustomed to anticipate with your kindness the very things that ought to be requested by entreaties. To the exalted and magnificent man Opilio his kinsmen, who reside in Africa, have sent, at diligence's prompting, a trustworthy person, who, as he returns to his ancestral soil, has laid this charge upon me at his departure, that he may obtain from you a letter addressed to the magnificent man Agnellus on behalf of the recommendation of his people. This thing, you most upright of men, you will not refuse, not content to have shown your kindness only to those settled in Italy. Now, rendering my dutiful service by means of a letter, I have indicated by abridged words the reason for my writing. To one who says little, grant the things that are foremost.

XVIII. ENNODIVS FAVSTO. In adserendis quibus suum non denegat honestas plena suffragium multiplicibus non utor adloquiis, ne prolixus sermo tamquam a negaturo uideatur inpetrasse beneficium: soletis enim quae poscenda sunt precibus anteferre. ad sublimem et magnificum uirum Opilionem parentes eius in Africa consistentes direxerunt certam diligentia inspirante personam, qua ad patrium solum remeante hoc mihi muneris praefatus iniunxit, ut ad magnificum uirum Agnellum pro commendatione suorum a uobis XVII. 3 lingua esse Pb 5 peccorum Tl indicaiet∗∗ L 9 promisit P*; promisit. Et fort . consetudiai B 10 quod Pb 11 inoleum T1 12 diuinctionem BLPV conuenitis scripsi, conuenientes BLPTVb si] se T* int∗erpres (a fort. eras.) L 14 imptiens V, impartiens b 15 occului] finit add. B j . i XVIII. 18 asseruendis T 20 uidetur B eolites B i . 21 sablimen T\' 22 eus L, om. T affrica T 23 dirizerant B 24 remeante (mea corr.) L prefatis L iniunczit B scripta mereatur. quam rem, emendatissimi hominum, non negabitis, non contenti benignitatem uestram solos in Italia positos agnouisse. nunc obsequia mea litteris reddens causam scriptionis uerborum conpendiis indicaui. uos dicenti pauca praestate praecipua.