Letter 4035: Ennodius to Apronianus, the Illustrious.

Ennodius to Apronianus, most distinguished man. It is the custom of men resplendent with brightness of character to nourish the sacred bond of friendship through the cultivation of conversation, so that, while the seeds of goodwill are quickened by the warmth of exchanged talk, the union, now bound by covenant, may arrive at harvest. For through such offices the elder providence has willed that nothing be permitted to absence. Deservedly does the lord Faustus, the most flawless of men, proclaim a singular testimony concerning you. Without a cloud is it granted to be recognized that nothing is to be doubted about him whom an approved man exalts. But now, drawing myself back to the narrow limits of a letter, I shut up the praise owed to you within secret inner chambers, lest what ought to be done before strangers grow rank through tactlessness before you. Farewell, my lord, receiving a most deferential greeting: I pray God that, prolonging your prosperity far into the future, He may pledge to me too an increase through the favorable successes of my friends. Farewell.

XXXV. ENNODIVS APRONIANO V. I. In usu est uiris morum claritate fulgentibus religionem amicitiae per culturam nutrire conloquii, ut dum gratiae germina fotu confabulationis animantur, ad messem coniunctio foederata perueniat. per haec enim munia uoluit senior prouidentia absentiae nil licere. merito de uobis emendatissimus hominum domnus Faustus praedicat singulare testimonium. sine nube datur agnosci nihil de eo dubitandum quem probatus attollit. sed nunc ad epistulae angustias me reducens secretis debitam laudem claudo penetralibus, ne quod apud externos faciendum est apud uos inportunitate rancescat. uale, mi domine, salutationem obsequentissimam accipiens: deum precor, ut prospera uestra in longum producens mihi quoque secundis amicorum successibus spondeat auctionem. uale. 2 ad L* ut uidetur 3 Simatione B 6 Acta V, proflcta L 6 praecidentium B 12 uale om. PTV XXXV. 14 approniano T ui. Bb, om. LTV 15 oiri B, uir** 1 (is eras.) L 17 coniuncto F o in ras . 22 debitum T 24 ranciscat B 25 d∗m (n eras.) L 27 actionem T aale om. T