Letter 138: You asked me whether I expect you to master your responsibilities.

To Priscianus. (359/60) You asked me whether I expect you to master your responsibilities. I do. Next you wanted to know whether I predict your current performance will earn you a good reputation among the powerful. There are grounds for hope: what you are doing does not go unnoticed, and admiration follows every report. Just now, for instance, a story arrived that made everyone cry out in amazement. They say a certain official among the staff has been bested for the first time -- a man who had, until now, prevailed over everyone for as long as anyone can remember. You will produce many such results, and Fame's mouth will carry them everywhere. For the emperor, this will naturally mean pleasure; for you, it will mean rewards.

**To Priscianus** (359/60) You asked me whether I expect you to prevail over your difficulties. I do. Your second question was whether I suppose that your present conduct will win you a good reputation among the powerful. There are grounds for hope: your deeds do not go unnoticed, and admiration follows upon the hearing of them. Just now, for instance, a report has arrived — and who did not cry out at it? They say that a certain man, who had been among the subordinates only recently brought under control, had in fact been ruling over everyone for the entire preceding time. Many such things you will accomplish, and the mouth of Fame will carry them everywhere. From this, as one would expect, the Emperor will take pleasure — and you will receive your rewards.

Πρισκιανᾷ. (359/60) Ἥρου με, εἰ σε προσδοκῶ περιέσεσθαι τῶν πραγμάτων. προσδοκῶ. δεύτερον ἐπόθεις μαθεῖν, εἴ σοι δόξαν ἀπὸ τῶν παρόντων εἰκάζω χρηστὴν ἔσεσθαι παρὰ τοῖς δυνατοῖς. εἰσὶν ἐλπίδες· ἅ τε γὰρ ποιεῖς, οὐ σιγᾶται τῇ τε ἀκοῇ τὸ θαυμά- ζειν ἕπεται. νῦν γέ τοι τοιοῦτος ἥκει λόγος, ἐφ’ ᾧ τίς οὐκ ἀνέκραγε; λέγεταί τις ἄνθρωπος ἐν τοῖς ὑπηρέταις εἶναι νῦν πρῶτον κεκρατημένος, τὸν παρελθόντα δὲ ἄρα χρόνον ἅπαντα πάντων ἐκράτει. πολλὰ τοιαῦτα σὺ μὲν ἐργάσῃ, κομιεῖ δὲ πανταχῆ τὸ στόμα τῆς Φήμης. καὶ βασιλεῖ μὲν ἐντεῦθεν, ὡς εἰκός, ἡδονή, σοὶ δὲ ἀμοιβαί.