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.

If the condescension promised toward me still endured, it would be attested by a frequency of letters: those whom favorable fortune has raised to the summit scarcely look upon the humble. It is grievous if the hope of favorable things cuts the bonds of love: what flatters according to our desires ought not to prejudice diligence. If, however, you preserve any grace toward me, if the spark of promised love still lives, I commend Beatus, a most noble young man, the bearer of this letter, for whom it is just that, on my account, your blessedness should provide both a parent and a homeland. Be his special guardian, you who are soon to be the guardian of all. My lord brother, with the humility of greeting expended, I ask that you signify in haste by your writing how well you fare.

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