Letter 351: Many, who have come to me from where you are, have admired your oratorical power. They were remarking that there has been a very brilliant specimen of this, and a very great contest, as they alleged, with the result that all crowded together, and no one appeared in the whole city but Libanius alone in the lists, and everybody, young and old, lis...
Many people who have come to me from your city have been full of admiration for your oratorical power. They reported a truly brilliant performance and a great contest -- with the result that the entire population gathered, and in all the city no one was to be seen but Libanius alone in the ring, with everyone, young and old, listening. No one was willing to be absent -- not a man of rank, not a distinguished soldier, not an artisan. Even women hurried to be present for the spectacle.
And what was it? What was the speech that drew such a crowd? I am told it was a description of a man with a bad temper.
Please lose no time in sending me this much-admired speech, so that I too may join in praising your eloquence. If I am already a partisan of Libanius without having read his work, imagine what I will become once I have the actual evidence in hand.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
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You, who have included all the art of the ancients in your own mind, are so silent, that you do not even let me get any gain in a letter. I, if the art of Dædalus had only been safe, would have made me Icarus' wings and come to you. But wax cannot be entrusted to the sun, and so, instead of Icarus' wings, I send you words to prove my affection.
I am dissuaded from writing often to you, learned as you are, by my timidity and my ignorance. But your persistent silence is different. What excuse can be offered for it?
I am really ashamed of sending you the Cappadocians one by one. I should prefer to induce all our youths to devote themselves to letters and learning, and to avail themselves of your instruction in their training. But it is impracticable to get hold of them all at once, while they choose what suits themselves.