Letter 8016: I have not forgotten my debt to you, nor have I withdrawn from the duties that affection requires.

From: Ennodius, deacon in Pavia To: Barbara [a noblewoman] Date: ~505 AD Context: A letter to a woman named Barbara, assuring her that Ennodius has not forgotten his obligations to her — possibly related to a favor or commendation. Ennodius to Barbara. I have not forgotten my debt to you, nor have I withdrawn from the duties that affection requires. If my letters have been slow to arrive, blame the circumstances, not the will. The will has been constant; only the opportunity has been lacking. I write now to assure you that everything promised is still in motion, and everything owed will be paid. Farewell.

XVI. ENNODIVS BARBARAE. Non ego debiti inmemor ab officiis temperaui nec constituta despiciens garrulitatem meam ab obsequii exhibitione suspendi. 1 imcommodis B 2 uidebantur restitute B 3 scantae B 5 praecibus B XV. 9 processerint B 10 est] et T, aest B1 nimis] minus Sinn . 11 magnitudini (postr . i in ras.) B laebat me∗∗∗∗ B 13 delitisceret BLXTV 14 absentiam (abse in ras.) B 15 exsuperit B 16 filis amationis effuasimae B 17 imptiens LTY, impartiens b 18 notitiae scripsi, potitiae BLV, potitie P, potentie T, pueritiae b 19 mantipia L 20 praecidentibus B discenIdentem B n in fine lineae postea add. sed m. 1 21 offere B 22 inperare B XVI. 24 barbare BT 25 temporaui (po in ras:) B 26 obsequi B sed postquam ab urbe regressus sum, continuo me uariae aegritudines et quicquid ad mortem uocat artauit. uere, domna mea, sic uobis uestrisque laeta contingant, quia ad testimonium ueteris mysterii Christus noster iterum quamuis peccatorem nec ut illum, qui amicus dici meruit, sed rursus uocauit Lazarum de sepulcro. est facti unitas in distantia personarum, eo nunc amplior magnitudo diuini operis, quia quod ille meruit mihi cessit indebite. haec causa me ab officii promulgatione reuocauit. postquam tamen ad uitam reductus sum, continuo me ad seruitia uobis soluenda conuerti, rogans deum, ut uos uestrosque superno tueatur auxilio. promitto mihi etiam et desideriis meis, quod cum felicitate uestra et gaudio ad comitatenses excubias, quae uotis meis satisfaciat, dignitas adepta uos euocet. noli, domna, huic te labori, huic oneri submouere. uideant bona Romanae ciuitatis prouinciae, et quae monitis uix instituuntur per bona, quae uobis deus contulit, formentur exemplis. rogo tamen reuerentia salutationis exhibita, ut expectatissimo me releuetis alloquio, sed nec alterum dictare patiamini quae ad me scribetis: sic numquam ab impetratione oratio uestra pellatur.