Letter 6026: **From:** Ennodius, deacon of Pavia

ENNODIUS TO EUPREPIA. Silence is indeed owed to necessity, but writing to diligence; fear demands abstinence from letters, yet at times it yields to affection. The mind of one who loves scarcely acquiesces in any obstacles: it grows hot to render back the dues of gratitude all the more when it is forbidden. Behold, having declared beforehand what cause might suspend me from these offices, I leave it to your conscience, which renders me dutiful. Yet, having prayed to God, I make known that I, or rather our Lupicinus, am in good health, desiring to learn this about you which has been prolonged on my part. I do not, however, wish you to press down your care with the burden of a pledge set apart. Believe my conscience: I owe more to him through devotion than you yourself were able to display through nature. Would that the gifts of heaven might better his natural talent. Truly I say, with you departing to more distant parts, the solicitude of each parent regards me, more than we, placed together, were able to share with rivalry. My lady, speaking the fullest greeting, I pray that you grant me so great a support of love and of prayer as you have proven me toward the accomplishment of your desire.

XXVI. ENNODIVS EVPREPIAE. Debentur quidem necessitati silentia, sed scripta diligentiae: exigit metus abstinentiam tabellarum, sed interdum cedit affectui. uix aliquibus adquiescit obstaculis mens amantis: feruet ad redhibenda gratiae stipendia potius cum uetatur. ecce praelocutus quae me causa ab his muniis suspenderet relinquo conscientiae uestrae quae faciat obsequentem. deum tamen precatus in bona me ualitudine uel Lupicinum nostrum esse significo, hoc de uobis cupiens quae a me sunt prorogata cognoscere. nolo tamen curam uestram sequestrati pignoris fasce deprimatis. credite conscientiae meae, plus illi per studium debeo quam ipsa exhibere poteras per naturam. utinam. ingenium illius beneficia superna meliorent. uere dico, uobis ad longiora digredientibus utriusque parentis sollicitudo me respicit, quam potuimus in unum positi cum ambitione partiri. domina mi, salutationem plenissimam dicens precor, ut tantum mihi caritatis et orationis suffragium concedatis, quantum me ad desiderii uestri effectum effectum conprobastis. 1 testem Bb 2 abstipulatione B stimmatis B usurus (as in ras.) L 5 commeantium T acoerserit & 6 solatio LV, silentio T accipites B 7 dietinate B XXVI. 9 eupraepiae B V 11 cedit T, cedet BLVb \' 12 obstac*lis L 13 ad T 8. I . redibenda BlLTV stipendiae L 14 suspendit T it ex et corr . 16 me* B a 8. 1. m. rec., mea b uel (u m rcu.) B lopicinum BLV, lopicinium T; Vellopicinum (om. uel)b17aigeoTqueadmeT,quęameL19depi-emates uel) & 17 sigco T que ad me T, quQ me L 19 depremates B 23 respicet B 24 m T, mihi BLVb plenam LTV 25 ordinationis L suffragiom V concidatis B