Letter 5009: May the divine power second our honorable desires.

From: Ennodius, deacon and literary figure in Pavia To: Faustus [Faustus Niger] Date: ~500 AD Context: Another letter to Faustus, this one apparently accompanying good wishes — possibly related to a favorable outcome in church or political affairs. Ennodius to Faustus. May the divine power second our honorable desires. A good beginning deserves good fortune, and I pray that the auspices under which we proceed will prove as favorable as our intentions. I will not burden you with a long letter when the news itself speaks eloquently enough. The outcome we hoped for has arrived, and with it the opportunity to give thanks to the God who arranged it. Your part in this success is known to me even if modesty prevents you from claiming it. I send you my congratulations and my gratitude in equal measure. Farewell.

VIIII. ENNODIVS FAVSTO. Secundet desideria honesta diuinitas: felix auspicium bonis non negetur studiis: ingenuae intentiones prosperorum fructibus 1 Cluuienum coni. Gronouius in ObBerv. p. 404; cf. Iuuenalis Sat. I 80 2 contemptus T 3 sententia. placeat T 4 mors ut B1 5 agnoueris (is in ras.) L 6 cauda B 7 uers∗u ̃ L 9 tollitur-l. 22 pugnax om. T ad cliui Pb 11 admouit B 12 similes B 13 fumigar V et Sirm . 15 focos Sirm., focus B LV, focum Pb sorbit BLPY, sorbet b 17 cunctus L T 18 rori uapore fero Ll 19 pyra Sirm., poera BL, poena F, pera b, per. P 20 alterne BL 21 nimphis L V v VIIII. 24 FASTO B 25 diuinitas] diuturnitas Bb felix ex flex//// L m. ant . 26 negeretur L intentiones PТ\'b, intentionis BLTlV conualescant. uotorum obsidem tradidit honestati qui ad liberales adspirat superis fauentibus disciplinas: bonarum affectus artium dirum dedignatur ingenium: ad eloquentiae ornamenta non tendunt nisi moribus instituti. his Partenius noster germanae filius incitatus stimulis Romam, in qua est naturalis eruditio, festinat inuisere, cui magnitudinis uestrae suffragia sum paterna pollicitus. datur culmini uestro per supplicantem genius, dum, quod usus exigit, precibus inploramus, ceu si quis credat se ortum solis, cursum fluminis oratione promereri. non est beneficium, ubi ordo seruatur: mori obsequitur quod obligat uniuersos. ego tamen supra cursum, a quo nequaquam disceditis, aliquid accepturus occurro. direxi personam, in qua meritorum meorum status aestimetur. alios forsitan commendatio iuuet indebita: parentibus minus est quicquid superare non possumus. domine mi, seruitia salutationis repraesentans, portitorem paucis eiusque negotium elocutus, restat ut agnoscam quid mereatur persona causa proximitas.