Letter 9005: The dispensation of heaven joins in affection through the gift of letters those whom it has united in love.

Ennodius to Hormisdas the deacon. The dispensation of heaven joins in affection through the gifts of letters those whom it binds in love, while in the remedy of solicitude it unites by affection those whom the length of journeys separates — if there is any care for speech. Your silence, however, I greatly wonder at, since after laying down the burdens of illness you have lifted me with no word at all. But since by speaking opportunely I compel you to speak, at least respond by imitating a chatterbox. For the thing one desires is both sought and obtained by examples. Therefore, paying the honor of greeting, I report that by God's favor I am now well, begging that you bless me with a reciprocal dispatch of your pen.

V. HORMISDAE DIACONO ENNODIVS. Caelestis dispensatio epistolaribus beneficiis iunctos caritate consociat, dum quos discernit itinerum prolixitas in remedio IIII. 2 prouino ennodius B, ennodiua prouino LTV 4 quo∗s (o cras . uid.) B 5 opliuio B 6 separantur fort . 7 praeetatee B 9 conditio BTV a] simplex a B 10 praestnlentur B, praeatolarentnr L, praestolantor b quaerillam B discendi BLPTVb 11 debnistes B 18 putow L 14 sepulchris LPTV 15 tam B garrolns B 16 fidnam B propinquus B 18 parentem B 19 neo (eo in ras,) L debit B alia B 21 domne T et Sirm. m T, mihi BLV 22 epistolares B manifeetit B V. 24 hormisde BLT diacs B 25 ceclestis (1 ex e corr.) L benefitiis B iunctns B, inntos L, disiunctos (t. e . loco diuisos) fort . 26 itinereram B sollicitudinis iungit affectio, si sit cura sermonis. silentium tamen uestrum nimis admiror, quod post depositae sarcinas aegritudinia nulla me adlocutione subleuastis. sed quia loquendo opportune cogimus, ut loquaris, uel garruli, imitatione responde. bene enim res desiderii et poscitur et inpetratur exemplis. ergo honorem salutationis inpendens indico me deo propitio iam ualere, subplicans, ut uicaria mihi stili promulgatione benedicas.