Letter 8033: What you are to me and what I am to you — these are things that titles cannot change and promotions cannot diminish.

33. Ennodius to the deacon Hormisdas. Both what you are is adorned by compassion and what you are to be is acquired by piety, and you have raised up a deacon by these pursuits, an office for which your diligence vouches as a future pontiff. The bearer of the present letter, honorable in character, by nature lofty, deprived of the protection of a native comfort, has sought out Rome on behalf of honorable arts, although he is to live abroad. See whether these qualities which I have set before you deserve to be assisted by a man religious, well-born, and wealthy. Now that the duty of greeting has been rendered, I ask that, if you love me, if you love the good opinion you have purchased, the bearer may grow up through the resources of your aid.

XXXIII. ENNODIVS HORMISDAE DIACONO. Et quod es miseratione ornatur et quod futurus es pietate conquiritur, et diaconum his studiis extulisti, cuius rei promittit cura pontificem. praesentium baiulus honestus moribus natura sublimis genuini solacii orbatus praesidio Romam pro honestis artibus, licet peregrinaturus, expetiit. uide si mereantur a religioso bene nato locupleti iuuari ista quae praetuli. nunc officio salutationis exhibito rogo, ut si me, si bonam quam coemisti opinionem diligis, inpensis portitori adulescat auxiliis.