Letter 621: Bassianus and his grandmother are both my relatives, both worthy of respect, and whatever service I render at their...

To Apollinarius. (361) Bassianus and his grandmother are both my relatives, both worthy of respect, and whatever service I render at their request is my own gain. This letter, then, comes at their wish. They say that this man Megistus is useful to them, and they trust he will be secure if he obtains your goodwill. Megistus says he already has it, but wants it increased through me. For you certainly make no secret of your affection for me, and a man in love seems ready to do anything. Come then — prove to the man that his hopes were not misplaced, and that through this letter your assistance has doubled.

Ἀπολιναρίῳ. (361) Βασσιανὸς καὶ ἡ τούτου τηθὶς συγγενεῖς τε ἄμφω μοι καὶ τιμῆς ἀξίω καὶ ὅ τι ἂν ὑπουργῶ κελευόντων, κέρδος ἐμόν. γίγνεται δὴ καὶ ταυτὶ τὰ γράμματα βουληθέντων ἐκείνων. Μέγιστον γὰρ τουτονί φασι μὲν αὑτοῖς εἶναι χρήσιμον, ἔσε- σθαι δὲ πιστεύουσιν ἐν ἀσφαλείᾳ, τῆς σῆς εὐνοίας εἰ τυγχάνοι. ταύτην δὲ ἔχειν μὲν ἤδη Μέγιστος ἔφη, βούλεται δὲ αὐξη- θῆναι δι’ ἐμοῦ. σὺ γάρ που τὸν σὸν ἔρωτα περὶ ἐμὲ λαθεῖν οὐκ ἐᾷς, ἐρῶν δὲ πᾶν ἂν ποιῆσαι δοκεῖς. ἄγε δή, πεῖθε τὸν ἄνθρωπον ὡς οὐ κακῶς ἤλπισεν, ἀλλ’ ὑπὸ τῆς ἐπιστολῆς εἰς τὸ διπλάσιον ἥκει τὸ τῆς βοηθείας