Letter 5008: [To a friend about Anastasius] You know our friend Anastasius well — you've seen him often in your own home.

You deign to acknowledge our friend Anastasius, for you have often seen him at your house. This acquaintance ought to count in his favor with you by way of recommendation, even were it aided by no exchange of words. As things stand, I cannot doubt that your care concerning him will be the more abundant, since both an old acquaintance and present conversation commend him. To Magnillus. A familiar opportunity has arisen which may bring to you tokens of my well-being. For I cannot doubt that my letter ought to be delivered to you, the letter which Silvanus, a man devoted to the attentiveness of our heart, will present. To him this very recommendation of the duty he has undertaken ought to count in his favor with you. As for the rest, I do not trouble myself that you should reply, since our mutual affection promises me an exchange of your writings in return. [Heading of the next letter, XXV: text not preserved here.]

Anastasium nostrum dignaris agnoscere, . nam domi saepe vidisti. haec illi notitia 15 apud te debet esse suffragio, etiamsi nullis iuvaretur alloquiis. nunc dubitare non possum, cumulatiorem circa eum fore curam tui, cum eum et vetusta cognitio et prae- sens sermo commendet. xxim (XXIII) . AD MAGNILLVM. 20 Familiaris emersit occasio, quae tibi salutis meae adportaret indicia. neque enim dubitare possum, tibi litteras meas esse reddendas, quas Bilvanus ad animi nostri di- ligentiam pertinens exhibebit. cui haec ipsa recepti officii commendatio apud te debet esse suffragio. ceterum ut respondeas, non laboro, cum mihi vicissitudinem scripto- rum tuorum mutua poUiceatur adfectio. 25 XXV PCXIIII).