Letter 9019: For a long time my soul hung in uncertainty, not knowing whether your silence meant neglect or misfortune.
Ennodius to Agnellus.
For a long time my soul hung in uncertainty, not knowing whether your silence meant neglect or misfortune. Now that I have word of you, the anxiety lifts — but do not subject me to such a trial again. The imagination of a worried friend is crueler than the truth, however harsh. Write to me promptly next time. Farewell.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
Related Letters
It has come to our ears — a thing shocking to be told — that some in your parts worship trees, and perpetrate many other unlawful things contrary to the Christian faith. And we wonder why your Fraternity has delayed correcting this by strict punishment. On this account we exhort you by this present writing to cause these persons to be sought out...
It pains me that a man so richly endowed with the gifts of eloquence should withhold them from one who would value...
You have carried out my wishes beyond what I dared to request, and I write to thank you.
If I could follow you in body, I would spare myself the trouble of words.
Thanks be to God, whose generosity toward Your Greatness has exceeded what mere human merit could claim.