To Flavianos. (361)
Whatever comes from a loving heart is no small thing to me. Since I value your thoughtfulness above the gifts themselves, by that measure I judge even the gifts great.
I was delighted by the pigeons. But I wept over the gazelle — I had expected something wonderful from your description, only to find it dead, either overcome by the heat or betrayed by those transporting it. I blamed you for having thought to send it at all.
As for the victory you reported, I am grateful to your namesake. May he come himself to tell us about the battle and how he routed the enemy. And if he also shows us prisoners, he will be greater in our eyes than Cleon.
Whatever comes from a loving heart is no small thing to me. Since I value your thoughtfulness above the gifts themselves, by that measure I judge even the gifts great.
I was delighted by the pigeons. But I wept over the gazelle — I had expected something wonderful from your description, only to find it dead, either overcome by the heat or betrayed by those transporting it. I blamed you for having thought to send it at all.
As for the victory you reported, I am grateful to your namesake. May he come himself to tell us about the battle and how he routed the enemy. And if he also shows us prisoners, he will be greater in our eyes than Cleon.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.