Letter 9034: Where are those who say that prosperity makes men forget their friends?

From: Ennodius, bishop of Pavia To: Avienus Date: ~520 AD Context: A letter citing those who claim that good fortune makes men forgetful — and testing whether the claim applies to Avienus. Ennodius to Avienus. Where are those who say that prosperity makes men forget their friends? I would like to test the theory on you. Your recent good fortune has been followed by an equally notable silence, and the coincidence invites explanation. Prove the cynics wrong. Write to me, and show that success has not dulled your memory. Farewell.

XXXIIII. ENNODIVS AVIENO. Vbi sunt qui dicunt inter habitatione discretos diligentiam non durare et affectionis calorem terrarum diuisione tepescere nec longius procedere mentes posse quam oculos? ecce amoris mei plenitudo uiolentia sequestrationis exaestuat et conloquii medicina languidior corporis sedibus non tenetur. deum tamen, qui circa uos respexit uota nostra, benedico, qui uos non solum nobili, sed, quantum fama nuntiat, sancta moribus uxore 1 deceas B iteneris B 2 qs add. T m. 8 in mg . 6 prerogatiua B 9 palacii B, palatn L1 10 cupitas B 11 diligentiam B 12 sed] et B 13 benigne 2x 14 de his] domia B 15 depreoor B a. I . 16 sublicatio B 17 fornicationis B uxorio fort . 18 excussari B\' manifestites B XXXIIIIS2 habitationi (ni ex ne corr . uid.) V 18 tepisoere B 24 procidere B 28 mobili L donauit. cultores Christi perfecta omnia premerentur: ipsis solis in coniunctione opum mentium et sanguinis claritas non negatur. spe praecipiebam, quod possit talis effici, qualem ad te audio iam uenisse. transit aestimationem meam quid de eius hominis profectu sentiam, quem audio ab optimis inchoasse. domine mi, gratiam salutationis inpertiens spero, ut petitionem sancti episcopi patris uestri dignemini incunctanter efficere et homini ipsius classici illum, de quo securus sum, gratiae animum condonare.