Letter 9017: The faith of reputation is not lame when it rests on the testimony of trustworthy witnesses.

The faith of the old belief does not falter, that maintains that nearness of kinship is not defrauded by remoteness of region. The rights of families remain fixed on their own hinges, nor are those who are separated by dwellings sundered in soul: the ethereal vigor runs through, wherever it is brought forth by the kinship of the flesh, and that heavenly portion is not confined within the narrow bounds of a single homeland. So you, my lady, have sought out Ennodius, who dwells far from your body, conferring upon your longed-for gaze a noble gift. I have received a cowl such as a most holy woman ought to send to one who professes religion. Pray that, even if your gifts have not found me worthy of the garments of the humble, they may nevertheless make me so by the nobility of their own merit. My lady, offering you most abundant greeting, I ask that you frequently relieve me with your venerable conversation. Send me with speed a cloak and woolen garments of whatever color you wish, red or dark.

XVII. ENNODIVS APODEMIAE. Non clauda fides est opinionis antiquae, quae perhibet quod propinquitas generis non defrudetur longinquitate regionis. manent familiarum suis iura cardinibus nec quae sunt diuisa habitaculis dissociantur animabus: percurrit aetherius uigor, ubicumque carnis cognatione producitur, et illa caelestis portio unius patriae non continetur angustiis. sic tu, domna mea, XVI. 4 itenera B depraehendi B 6 dihoscorus B 8 suscipiens L Faustam] Paulum Sirm . 12 mihi///| B I 13 m T, mihi BLV 16 promisistes B XVII. 21 apoemie T 22 clada B1 est om . Sirm. antique B 23 non d. 1. regionie om. L add. in mg . defraudetur P2T 25 habiculis B ethereus T 26 productor B 27 unus B1 longe a corpore degentem Ennodium perquisisti, efferendo desideratis nobile munus aspectibus. accepi cucullam qualem debuit dirigere religionem profitenti sanctissima. ora, ut dignum me humilium indumentis etsi non inuenerunt dona uestra, tamen meriti sui nobilitate perficiant. domina mi, salutem largissimam dicens rogo, ut crebro me uenerandis releuetis alloquiis. laenam et racanas cuius uos uolueritis coloris rubei aut fused mihi sub celeritate dirigite.