Letter 357: I knew you would receive my letter gladly — you always welcomed my words in person.

To Parnasius. (358 AD) I knew you would receive my letter gladly — you always welcomed my words in person. And persuading myself of this, even if I ask a favor straightaway, I do not overstep what is reasonable. Either one who does not believe he is loved should hesitate, or one who is confident of being loved should speak boldly. The favor is easy to grant and does the giver credit. Here is the matter. Cleoboulus moved to us from Egypt — a fine poet and a teacher without equal. He gave himself to only a few students, for his health was poor, yet he placed me above all others. For this reason Cleoboulus is dear to me, and if I disobey his commands, a son has wronged his father. But why should I go on about him when Aristophanes, who knows the man well, is right there with you? Aristophanes, whom — among his other merits — his desire to be at your side adorns. Now, this Cleoboulus has a sister's son in your region, and the young man is about to be enrolled among your staff. Register him with pleasure, and let him receive some kindness for his uncle's sake. By granting the favor, prove the proverb true: that the Graces dwell on earth as well.

Παρνασίῳ. (358) Ἤιδειν ὅτι μου δέξη τὴν ἐπιστολὴν ἡδέως, καὶ γὰρ παρ- ὼν τοὺς λόγους. ταῦτα δὲ πείθων ἐμαυτόν, εἰ καὶ χάριν εὐθὺς αἰτοίην, οὐκ ἐκφέρομαι τοῦ εἰκότος. ἢ γὰρ οὐ νομί- ζοντα φιλεῖσθαι χρῆν ὀκνεῖν ἢ φιλεῖσθαι πεπιστευκότα δεῖ θαρρεῖν. ἡ δὲ χάρις καὶ δοῦναι ῥᾴστη καὶ τῷ διδόντι καλή. γνῶθι δέ · Κλεόβουλος ἐξ Αἰγύπτου παρ’ ἡμᾶς μετῴκησε, ποιητής τε ἀγαθὸς καὶ διδάσκαλος οἷος οὐκ ἄλλος, δοὺς δὲ αὑτὸν οὐ πολλοῖς, οὐ γὰρ ἔρρωτο τὸ σᾶμα, πρότερον ἐποιεῖτό με τῶν ἄλλων. καὶ διὰ τοῦτο Κλεόβουλος ἐμοὶ τίμιον, κἂν ἐπιτάττοντος ἀπειθήσω, παῖς ἠδίκηκε πατέρα. καὶ τί δεῖ με μηκύνειν περὶ αὐτοῦ παρόντος σοι τοῦ τὸν ἄνδρα εἰδότος Ἀριστοφάνους. ὃν ἄνευ τῶν ἄλλων κοσμεῖ τὸ σοὶ συνεῖναι ἐθέλειν; τούτῳ τοίνυν τῷ Κλεοβούλῳ παῖς ἀδελφῆς ἐστι παρ’ ὑμιν καὶ μέλλει γε τελέσειν εἰς τοὺς σοὺς ὑπηρέτας. ἔγγραφε δὴ τὸν ἄνδρα μεθ’ ἡδονῆς καὶ τυγχανέτω χρηστοῦ τινος διὰ τὸν θεῖον καὶ τῷ δοῦναι χάριν ἔλεγχε τὴν παροι- μία ὡς ἄρα καὶ ἐν γῇ Χάριτες.