Letter 9017: The faith of reputation is not lame when it rests on the testimony of trustworthy witnesses.

Ennodius to Apodemia. The faith of that ancient saying is not lame which declares that the closeness of family is not cheated by distance of region. The rights of families remain on their own hinges, and those who are separated in their dwellings are not sundered in their souls: a heavenly force runs wherever it is called forth by kinship of the flesh, and that celestial portion is not confined within the narrow bounds of a single homeland. So you, my lady, sought out Ennodius though he dwells far from you in body, bestowing a noble gift upon his longing eyes. I received a cowl such as a most holy woman ought to send to one who professes the religious life. Pray that, even if your gifts did not find me worthy of the garments of the humble, they may at least make me so by the nobility of their own merit. My lady, offering most abundant greetings, I ask that you frequently refresh me with your venerable words. Send me at once a cloak and tunics of whatever shade of red or dark color you choose.

XVII. ENNODIVS APODEMIAE. Non clauda fides est opinionis antiquae, quae perhibet quod propinquitas generis non defrudetur longinquitate regionis. manent familiarum suis iura cardinibus nec quae sunt diuisa habitaculis dissociantur animabus: percurrit aetherius uigor, ubicumque carnis cognatione producitur, et illa caelestis portio unius patriae non continetur angustiis. sic tu, domna mea, XVI. 4 itenera B depraehendi B 6 dihoscorus B 8 suscipiens L Faustam] Paulum Sirm . 12 mihi///| B I 13 m T, mihi BLV 16 promisistes B XVII. 21 apoemie T 22 clada B1 est om . Sirm. antique B 23 non d. 1. regionie om. L add. in mg . defraudetur P2T 25 habiculis B ethereus T 26 productor B 27 unus B1 longe a corpore degentem Ennodium perquisisti, efferendo desideratis nobile munus aspectibus. accepi cucullam qualem debuit dirigere religionem profitenti sanctissima. ora, ut dignum me humilium indumentis etsi non inuenerunt dona uestra, tamen meriti sui nobilitate perficiant. domina mi, salutem largissimam dicens rogo, ut crebro me uenerandis releuetis alloquiis. laenam et racanas cuius uos uolueritis coloris rubei aut fused mihi sub celeritate dirigite.