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

I know indeed that you were withdrawn from my desire: but by hope I had anticipated something else from your solicitude. For both how the lord, God granting, said farewell and what the order of our journey was, if you were mindful of me, I would have learned. But what am I to do, I who cannot overcome your negligence even by suggesting the form of affection? Therefore if, by the gift of Christ our God, the hope of marriage has touched you, you will not banish the memory of Ennodius, since no greater devotion has ever yielded, and devoted love has been excluded only so far from your heart as I shall be removed from your eyes. Be well, with the life of your father and brother safe: may God bless you. Let them learn what feeds the ear: display toward me whatever disposition you wish. I ask one thing, with the honor of greeting shown: that before the lord apostles you deign to offer prayers on my behalf, that they may heal the miseries of my wretchedness with their medicine and not allow me to desire anything that is not fitting. Let them chasten the presumptions of mind and body. If you do this, I believe that on account of your innocence and purity, you will be heard better on my behalf than if I were present in person.

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.