Letter 4028: If things had gone as I wished, this letter would carry a different message.

From: Ennodius, deacon in Pavia To: Agapitus Date: ~516 AD Context: A letter reflecting on how things would have gone differently if events had unfolded as planned. Ennodius to Agapitus. If things had gone as I wished, this letter would carry a different message. But since we must work with what God provides rather than what we prefer, I write to report the situation as it stands and to ask for your continued support. The cause is unchanged; only the circumstances have shifted. Farewell.

XXVIII. ENNODIVS AGAPITO. Si mihi ex sententia dies fluerent, non negotiosis operam paginis potius quam obsequentibus exhiberem nec munus .ł\' 1 fauor] amor T liberatis B ut Bb,-et LPTV 3 ae- thereaa Pb, aeternus Sirm . 5 dispendio non dabltum nichi frangatur T (corr m. 2) 6 animam T* 7 persona fort.; post personis uulgo interpungitur, cf. Wiener Studien II p. 231 \' 10 usus L S. t m . ant. cupias B 11 antecellant] finit add. B i XXVII. 14 et om. Sirm. 15 magnam L ***ista L . 16 sens*um L 17 domini B 19 disperationem JS 90 cegnoseere T 21 conloquia] finit add. B . caritatis ad officia peregrina transducerem. sed coactus rem diligentiae necessariis commutaui. sublimis enim et magnificus uir pro dolosis inimicorum laborat insidiis, qui per me aequitatis uestrae inplorat patrocinium, ne praua concinnatio opinionem eius permittatur incessere et fabricati rumoris ferat forte conpendium. domine mi, salutationem largissimam dicens deprecor, ut ille qui in uobis notus est uigor adsurgat et quod a partibus uestris poscitur mei sermonis obsequio ad inpetrationem congruam perducatur.