Letter 8039: If you have deigned to read these lines, then the old bond between us still holds — and that is all I needed to know.

From: Ennodius, bishop of Pavia To: Hormisdas, deacon [Pope Hormisdas] Date: ~521 AD Context: A late letter to the pope, maintaining the friendship through the formalities of changed circumstances. Ennodius to Hormisdas the deacon. If you have deigned to read these lines, then the old bond between us still holds — and that is all I needed to know. I write not to impose but to inquire, and the inquiry is answered by the mere fact of your attention. God bless you and the work you do. Farewell.

XXXVIIII. ENNODIUS HORMISDAE DIACONO. Si dignatio circa me promissa duraret, adsereretur frequentia litterarum: uix respiciunt humiles quos ad arcem euentus prosper euexerit: graue est, si spes secundarum rerum caritatis nexus incidat: non debet praeiudicare diligentiae quae secundum uota blanditur. si tamen aliquid circa me gratiae custoditis, si uiuit amoris scintilla polliciti, Beatum commendo nobilissimum adulescentem praesentium portitorem: cui iustum est ut consideratione mei et parentem beatitudo uestra inpendat et patriam. esto specialis tutor, omnium mox futurus. domine frater, salutationis humilitate depensa rogo, ut sub celeritate quam bene ualeatis scriptione signetis. XXXVIII. 4 generales debitur B 5 benefitia B 6 adnliacentem B baiolum B 7 accipiat Pb iuxta** L, iusto B pontiflces B 8 et moribus mereatur b 9 Stfficet B 10 crebris BTl XXXVInI. 13 hormisde T diacs B 14 adseritnr b 16 enexerit (alt . e in ras.) B 17 debit B quai B, cui LPT Vb; quae quod scripsi ad spem referendum est 18 planditur B cnstodites B 19 uiuet B sentilla B, cintilla T\' polliciti scintilla LTVb 20 adulitcentem B 22 apeciale» B, mox (x m ras.) B 24 signatis T1, resignetis fort . VI. 15