Letter 8018: The bearer of this letter compelled me to take up my pen again — not that I needed much compelling.

Ennodius to Faustus. The bearer of the present letter has driven me to my pursuits, and, almost importunate, has exacted what I myself was wishing. Thus he who was asking conferred a favor. In his own business he seeks the judgment of your justice, proven to the world, and he reckons that the truth of his case cannot be discerned by anyone if you hold back. On his behalf I come as a petitioner, that, while you are present to the heavenly commands and search out the truth with your whole attention, you may come to the aid of an afflicted man's necessities. I hope too, now that the service of a greeting has been paid, that, with the proofs of your prosperity not neglected, you will give me a sign through the occasions of greeting that frequently present themselves.

XVIII. ENNODIVS FAVSTO. Coegit me ad studia mea portitor praesentium litterarum et quod uolebam prope inportunus exegit. sic contulit beneficium qui poscebat. iste in negotio suo probatum mundo iustitiae uestrae poscit examen, nec ab aliquo ueritatem causae suae discerni aestimat, si cessetis. pro hoc precator accedo, ut dum adestis mandatis caelestibus et ueritatem tota intentione perquiritis, adflicti hominis necessitatibus subcurratis. spero etiam seruitio salutationis inpenso, ut indicio me prosperitatis 1 raeparata B 2 nonuellis B 3 resnrrezerit L sepnlchro BLTV 4 per B 5 act.i1 L formam B misterii PT, ministerii b 6 aegritudinis B sepnl«cra B, sepulchra LPTV celesti B 9 ipsed F1 12 tribuet B 14 Asterii Sirm., Ansterii Pb 15 obtas B XVIII. 19 psentium portitor T literarum B 20 uelebam L exiget B 21 poscebat iste scripsi, eoacebatis te B, exigebat iste LPTVb probatus in B 22 nestre B ab aliquo (ab ali cx alib corr . uid.) L 23 praecator B 25 snbcnrratee B 26 seruitio salntationis B, salntationis offlcio LPTV inditio B, indictio L uestrae non neglectis quae frequenter se ingerunt occasionibus salutationis.