Letter 9026: I know you well enough to trust that your devotion will only grow with time.

From: Ennodius, deacon in Pavia To: Messala Date: ~515 AD Context: A letter acknowledging Messala's devotion and expressing confidence in his future. Ennodius to Messala. I know you well enough to trust that your devotion will only grow with time. What I have seen so far gives me every reason for confidence, and I write to strengthen what is already strong. Continue as you have begun. The path is clear, and the destination is worthy of the journey. Farewell.

XXVI. ENNODIVS MESSALAE. Scio equidem uos pro desiderio meo fuisse subtractos: sed aliud spe de sollicitudine uestra praeceperam. nam et qualiter domnus deo praestante ualedixerit et qui nobis itineris ordo fuerit, si mei memor esses, agnoueram. sed quid facio, qui neglegentiam uestram nec suggerendo formam affectionis expugno? ergo si te Christo deo nostro tribuente spes nuptialis XXV. 2 agnelle BT 4 uestrae om. B 6 ingeniis (iis ex uus corr. m. 2) T 8 fructoe B 12 auere fort . solam I BV1 18 proximior Sirm. 14 inlecibrae B 15 m T, mihi BLV hororificentiamquae B 16 apostormn B XXVI. 20 messale LT 21 aequidem B 22 spe scripsi, Bpei libri sollicitudinem B* praeciperam BLY, perceperam Pb 24 essis B fatio B 25 negligentiam BT 26 nuptialis PТ2b, nuptiales BLT1V afflauerit, Ennodi memoriam non fugabis, quando nulla sic cessit maior diligentia et pius amor exclusus est tantum a pectore tuo, quantum ab oculis submouebor. sanus esto salua uita patris et fratris tui: deus uobis benefaciat: agnoscant quod pascat auditum: quale uultis circa me exhibete propositum unum te rogo honore salutationis exhibito, ut apud domnos apostolos pro me digneris preces offerre, ut ipsi miserias meae medicinaliter curent nec patiantur me quicquam uelle quod non decet: castigent praesumptiones mentis et corporis. quod si facias, credo pro innocentia et puritate tua te melius pro me, quam si essem coram positus, audiendum.