Letter 6021: I seized the occasion to discharge the duty of humble deference that I owe you.

Ennodius to Faustus. I have seized upon the occasion presented by a household letter-carrier to discharge the duty of my humble respects. What you have provided in the effective handling of other people's affairs will now do service to my own longings. I confess, I judged it harsh to deny you a letter now that I am nearer to you, since, when I was stationed far away, I was never able to refrain from converse with you. For while I have been occupied here at Ravenna with my watch-duties, it seemed to me that I touched your greatness by a certain right hand of the mind. For that reason I have put forward this writing as a relief for my longing, so that by reading I might make up for what was being withheld from living words of address. Therefore, paying the honor due to one I salute, I ask that, as often as the opportunity is thrust upon me, you relieve me with remedies of this kind, in which absence, by divine provision, has its one and only support. You have recognized what the cure is for an affection that languishes: it is yours not to deny healing to ailing spirits.

XXI. ENNODIVS FAVSTO. In occasione rapui soluendae humilitatis personam domestici perlatoris. desideriis meis militabit quod in aliorum negotiorum efficacia prouidistis. fateor, durum credidi uicinior litteras denegare, qui numquam potui in longinquo constitutus abstinere conloquiis. uisus enim mihi sum Rauennatibus occupatus excubiis magnitudinem uestram quadam mentis dextera contigisse. idcirco ad leuamen desiderii scripta prorogaui, ut quod uiuis subtrahebatur affatibus lectione pensarem. ergo honorem salutati exhibens rogo, ut me huiusmodi, quotiens opportunitas ingesta fuerit, remediis subleuetis, in quibus absentia unicum habet diuina prouisione subsidium. agnouistis quae sit curatio affectione languenti: uestrum est medelam aegris animis non negare.