To Demetrius.
Many blessings on Bacchius, who is both fine himself and a lover of fine things. I do not say this to flatter myself -- he loves me, it is true, but I am not particularly fine. You, however, he loves very much, and you are very fine indeed. The echo you placed in your letter was so enchanting that I was seized by it and leapt toward its beauty, marveling at the grace of your words no less than Pan himself marveled at the goddess Echo [in the myth where Pan pursues Echo].
An unfortunate coincidence befell both Bacchius and me. I had finished my lecture by midday, and he arrived only as the day was ending. We looked at each other in dismay -- he because he had missed my speech, I because I had delivered it without the support of a friend's presence. But I was delighted to hear this much: that those who fell for the deception among you are now abandoning it and returning to where they should never have left.
Do not demand speeches from me more than you send them yourself. Do not think it is more fitting for you to receive than to give. You are a just man in every other respect -- do not be unjust in this one thing. Is it not absurd that Alexander should carry my speeches to you, while bringing back to me merely praise of your speeches instead of the speeches themselves?
Come now, my good man -- show me the orator before you show me the man. Your art does reveal itself through letters, but to know everything about you would be better and more delightful still.
Many blessings on Bacchius, who is both fine himself and a lover of fine things. I do not say this to flatter myself -- he loves me, it is true, but I am not particularly fine. You, however, he loves very much, and you are very fine indeed. The echo you placed in your letter was so enchanting that I was seized by it and leapt toward its beauty, marveling at the grace of your words no less than Pan himself marveled at the goddess Echo [in the myth where Pan pursues Echo].
An unfortunate coincidence befell both Bacchius and me. I had finished my lecture by midday, and he arrived only as the day was ending. We looked at each other in dismay -- he because he had missed my speech, I because I had delivered it without the support of a friend's presence. But I was delighted to hear this much: that those who fell for the deception among you are now abandoning it and returning to where they should never have left.
Do not demand speeches from me more than you send them yourself. Do not think it is more fitting for you to receive than to give. You are a just man in every other respect -- do not be unjust in this one thing. Is it not absurd that Alexander should carry my speeches to you, while bringing back to me merely praise of your speeches instead of the speeches themselves?
Come now, my good man -- show me the orator before you show me the man. Your art does reveal itself through letters, but to know everything about you would be better and more delightful still.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.