Letter 35

To Urbanus. (358/59) You do well to write to me now, and if you had written earlier, you would have done well then too. For if I have loved you for a long time, and you knew it, what reason was there to hesitate when writing would be a favor to a friend? If you deserve no forgiveness for your silence, then surely you are all the more obliged to write. So write with confidence, and share the labors of the excellent Modestus. In the fellowship of hard work, remember, there is also a fellowship of praise.

**To Urbanus** (358/59) You do well to write to me now, and had you written sooner, you would have done well then too. For if I have long held you in friendship, and you were not unaware of this, what reason was there to hesitate when you were sure to gratify a friend? And if there is no pardon for your silence, then surely there is every necessity for your words. Write, then, with confidence, and share the labors with the excellent Modestus, keeping in mind that a partnership in toils means a partnership in praise.

οὐρβανῷ. (358/59) Νῦν τε ἐπιστέλλων καλῶς ποιεῖς καὶ εἰ πρότερον ἐπἐ- στελλες, καὶ τότε ἂν καλῶς ἐποίεις. εἰ γὰρ ἐγὼ μέν σε πάλαι φιλῶ, σὺ δὲ τοῦτο οὐκ ἠγνόεις, τίνα εἶχε λόγον ὀκνεῖν μἐλ- λοντά γε χαριεῖσθαι φίλῳ; σοὶ δ’ εἰ σιγῶντι μηδεμία συγγνώ μη, πάντως δήπου πᾶσα ἀνάγκη λόγου. θαρρῶν τε οὖν γράφε καὶ συνδιάφερε τῷ καλῷ Μοδέστῳ τοὺς πόνους ἐν τῇ τῶν ἱδρώτων κοινωνίᾳ τὴν τῶν ἐπαίνων ἐννοῶν κοινωνίαν.