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 come out on top of affairs. I do expect it. Second, you longed to learn whether I conjecture that a good reputation will accrue to you among the powerful from the present circumstances. There are grounds for hope; for the things you do are not passed over in silence, and admiration follows upon the report of them. Now at any rate such a story has come, at which who did not cry out? A certain man is said to be among the subordinates, having now for the first time been mastered, whereas in all the time gone by he used to master everyone. Many such things you will accomplish, and the mouth of Fame will carry them everywhere. And from this, as is fitting, there is pleasure for the emperor, but for you there are 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.