Letter 21: The young man I am commending this time is the sublimest of adolescents, and I say this not as empty praise — you...

Of Ennodius, to Pope Symmachus. He commends to the pontiff a noble young man seeking the studies of Rome. Ennodius to Symmachus. [The text here is broken by editorial apparatus; the legible fragments of the editor's notes read:] ... provides what is needful, who [...] bereft of all [...] and [...] insinuates. The one way is the consolation of your apostolate, which [...] [Editor's note:] He calls those offices his own which he had rendered in the cause of Symmachus, whether by deeds [or] at the expense of various [...] (compare Ennodius, Epistles III, 10; V, 13; VI, 16 and 33); [and] the apology subscribed by the synod V. Schott's edition adds "whose." [Editor's note:] Under this name he honors the pope as universal, even then almost the one refuge, amid the [conditions] of the times, of the wavering peoples and of the liberal studies. From these letters we learn that Rome was then reckoned the foremost [seat] of such studies, which noble young men skilled in those matters sought from every quarter. [The letter resumes:] ... brings healing to those abroad. Far be it to call afflicted those whom it has befallen to come to you: they seek not the homeland of the Creator, nor wealth elsewhere; those whom the care of your crown has taken up. The bearer of these presents, of noble birth, seeks the studies of Rome, which will profit toward the proof of his free birth. Hence my assertion, as your suppliant, commends him to your blessedness, so that, when the services of greeting have been graciously received, what you do by custom may, out of regard for me, be doubled.

Ennodii ad Symmachum papam. Juvenem nobilem studia Romana requirentem pontifici commendat. Ennodius Symmacho. lem necessariam providet, qui parenti^) omniimi orbatos et rinos insinuat. Unica via est apostolatus vestri solatium^ quae Officia iUa sua dicit, quae in causa Sjmmachi praestiterat sive factia num variarum expensis (conf. Ennod. epist. III, 10. V, 13. VI, 16 et 33) >nBcripta synodi Y apologia. Schotti ed. addit c^jus. Hoc nomine pontificem universalem honorat, jam tunc inter temporum (8 fere unicum fluctuantium populorum et studiorum liberalium refugium. ex hisce Htteris discimus, Romam tum praecipuam ejuamodi studiorum reputatam esse, quam undique juvenes nobiles earum rerum soUertes it. medetur extemis. Absit afflictos dicere^ quos ad vos contigerit pei- venisse: creatoris patriam^ opes alibi non requinint; qnos ooronM vestrae cura susceperit. Praesentum bajuluS; ortus nobiliter^ pto- futura ad testimonium ingenuitatis studia Bomana requirit. li\mc beatitudini vestrae mea supplicis vestri commendat assertio^ ut salu- tatioiiis servitiis dignauter acceptiS; quod usu faciti*s, pro mei con- sideratione geminetur.