Letter 1017: Faustus, from Ennodius.

XVII. Ennodius to Faustus. If the mind of one who loves should hold back from the customary round of dutiful services, it reckons this very cessation an unlucky omen. For he is himself the cause of his own grief, who does not always judge that what he cherishes dwells close at hand. Could anyone suppose that a man has departed to far-off regions, when he keeps him present in his mind? For if the spirit is a thing of divinity within a man, it cannot feel the losses inflicted by far-stretching lands. I have stated the reason that makes me extend these writings to you. I render the dutiful offices of greeting, on account of which letters are sent forth, beseeching God that, by the dispensation of His heavenly favor, words from your greatness, present and in good health, may be returned to one who lives well. Yet may the bearer who has furnished this occasion of address receive a welcome, who is commended by me in return for the same.

XVII. PAVSTO ENNODIVS. Si a consuetudine officiorum temperet mens amantis, ipsam cessationem sinistrum esse putat auspicium. maeroris enim ipse sibi causa est qui non semper in uicinis aestimat habitare quod diligit. quisquamne digressum ad longinqua censeat quem mente contingit? nam si spiritus res est diuinitatis in homine, prolixarum sentire non potest damna terrarum. dixi causam, 1 adcedit B rethoricam BLPT 2 scema B 4 gemtos B praecea B 5 ergo] uero T malesnda V eorr . m. 1 compeace LTV colloquii LPTV, conloquia B scribes B m 6 penicolo Bt penicolo V corr. m. 1 meadatii B (tii in rcu.) LPV uel potius (peste. P) mentem quum uideB Pb 7 uidia B mentem uncinauit Sirm., cf. Wiener Studien II p. 241 quae] qua B, qua ea fort . 8 dUcandunt B peccatoris B1 10 ezibeaa B immutabile LTV colloquiis LTV 13 actorem T 14 deuendam B 16 saltim B inpendimur BT XVII. 19 conauitudine B 20 potat B meroris BLPTV 22 quos Pb longinqua T qua ex eorr., longincam P\', longinquom b quae me faciat scripta porrigere. reddo salutationis obsequia, propter quae promulgantur epistulae, deo supplicans ut caelestis dispensatione beneficii in bona ualitudine degenti praesentia magnitudini uestrae uerba reddantur. quod recipiat tamen portitor qui alloquii occasionem praestitit, a me pro uicissitudine commendatur.