Letter 175: Now you are truly absent from us, since you have taken away the man who imitated you.

To Priscianus. (360) Now you are truly absent from us, since you have taken away the man who imitated you. Many praise your qualities, but only the admirable Palladius does more than admire them -- he practices them. So you have not really vacated the advocate's chair, not while his speeches are on display. He takes your place for all who need help. And here is something else he imitates: he delights in our company, just as you did, and supports us as you would. My gain has come mixed with grief, for in having someone to love I have learned how much I lost by not having him before. But do not send him back willingly, Homer-fashion -- for there will never be a time he is willing to go. Rather, push him back even against his will. Being separated from you because of your office is no small thing to me.

**To Priscianus** (360) Now you are truly away from us, since you have taken with you even the man who imitates your ways. For while many praise your qualities, the excellent Palladius alone, beyond merely admiring them, actually pursues them — so that you do not seem to have abandoned the advocate's arena, since his speeches carry on in your place. Thus he becomes your substitute for those in need. But this too is part of his imitation: he takes delight in us, just as you did, and lends us his support as you would. And so my gain has come mixed with grief — for in having someone to love, I learn what I was deprived of when I did not have you. But do not send him back only when he is willing, as Homer would have it — for you will never find such a moment, since he will never be willing — but set him in motion even against his will. For it is no small thing for me to be separated from you on account of your office.

Πρισκιανῷ. (360) Νῦν ἡμῖν ἀκριβῶς ἀποδημεῖς, ὅτε καὶ τὸν τὰ σὰ μι- μούμενον ἔχεις λαβών. τὰ γὰρ δὴ σὰ πολλοὶ μὲν ἐπαινοῦσι, μόνος δὲ ὁ καλὸς Παλλάδιος πρὸς τῷ θαυμάζειν καὶ μέτεισιν, ὥστε οὐ δοκεῖς ἐκλελοιπέναι τὴν τοῦ συναγορεύειν χώραν τῶν τοῦδε φαινομένων λόγων. οὕτως οὗτος ἀντὶ σοῦ τοῖς δεομέ- νοις γίγνεται. ἀλλὰ κἀκεῖνο μέντοι μιμουμένου τὸ χαίρειν τε ἡμῖν, ὥσπερ καὶ σύ, καὶ συμπράττειν ἡμῖν οἷα σύ. καὶ γέγονε δή μοι μετὰ λύπης τὸ κέρδος. ἐν γὰρ τῷ φιλεῖν ἔχειν οἴων ἀπεστερούμην οὐκ ἔχων μανθάνω. σὺ δ’ αὐτὸν μὴ καθ’ Ὅμηρον ἐθέλοντα πέμπειν, οὐ γὰρ ἔστιν ὅτε πέμψεις, οὐ γὰρ ἐθελήσει, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἄκοντα κινεῖν, ὡς οὐ μικρὸν ἐμοὶ σοῦ γε ἀφεστάναι διὰ τὴν ἀρχήν.