Letter 4032: ---

Ennodius to Eugenes. I do not think that the matter of devoted service can grow rancid through frequency, nor that the cultivation of diligence can be charged with the fault of garrulity. Perhaps an excuse for abstaining from letter-tablets may be available to those who are occupied with the duties of public service: a man does not deserve indulgence if, being free of such obligations, he holds back from the constant practice of writing. He plainly confesses a negligence of love who, though he is able to send letters, in which lies the nourishment of affection, does not furnish them: it is the error of a man at leisure if a mind well acquainted with its duty, through a holiday from the tongue, is worn thin and left unfed for want of the conversations it longs for. But just as it befits us to foster the bond of grace, owing nothing to worldly cares, so, unless your greatness comes to the aid of its own part by the publication of a reply, by keeping silent we rightly condemn deeds well done, since if rewards are taken away from virtues, who would not be ashamed to have labored? Behold, having spoken briefly, as far as I judge, of the resolve of us both, I confess that I am ill at heart, because, when Montanarius was returning and I had handed over my pages, I received nothing in return, which debt I demand be restored by law, lest I be doubled in my shame [at being left unanswered]. Now farewell, my lord, and seeking word of your well-being and announcing my own, I pray to God that, if He is mindful of me, He may multiply your prosperous fortunes.

XXXII. ENNODIVS EVGENETI. Non aestimo rem obsequii frequentia posse rancescere nec culturam diligentiae uitio garrulitatis adscribi. suppetat forte 1 ai om. Sirm . depellet B 2 ita \' B letioia nos T 5 daebende L, debende in debite corr. T m. U 6 a] ad L 1 XXXI. 10 occa ̃ sionem Ll ut saepius 11 gaudia B pepererint P indiz B1 12 p non B p B iocanditas B\' 13 meroris BLTV colloquii Sirm. 15 ob] ab SWm. cf. Epist. II 20 16 letitia V 17 clandiBtina B 19 promito T 20 eti B exp. eorr . 21 pudeant L 28 diducere LV oale om. TV XXXII. 25 engeniti B 26 ranciscere B de abstinentia tabellarum excusatio illis, qui publicae utilitatis muniis occupantur: ueniam non meretur, si ab scriptionis adsiduitate temperet absolutus. liquido confitetur amoris neglegentiam qui cum possit epistulas, in quibus est affectionis pabulum, non ministrat: error otiosi est, si bene conperta mens per linguae ferias desideratis adtenuetur inpasta conloquiis. sed sicut nos religionem gratiae fouere conuenit curis saecularibus nil debentes, ita, nisi magnitudo uestra partibus suis adfuerit promulgatione responsi, damnatis probe facta reticendo, quia si tollantur uirtutibus praemia, quem laborasse non pudeat ? ecce, quantum aestimo, breui elocutus utrorumque propositum animo meo male esse confiteor, quod remeante Montanario, cum dedissem paginas, non recepi, quod debitum posco lege restitui, pudore geminari. nunc uale, mi domine, et uestram quaerens, propriam nuntians sospitatem deum precor, ut si mei memor est, prospera uestra multiplicet.