Letter 674
To Polychronius. (361)
You could have written to me with the same ink and the same hand. Instead, you write nothing to me, but write to Olympius on my behalf. You think you are honoring me; I say you are slighting me.
You will escape my tongue, perhaps, but my son will hold you to account when, in defending me, he prosecutes his own father. Well, may I live to see that day! As for Malchus — he deserves our care for many reasons. He is now raising a child for the noble Modestus, and by his labors he obliges everyone; he is ready for whatever service anyone requires.
Knowing your goodwill toward me, he urges me to write, and I have not delayed. It is your turn, then, to match my speed and make life brighter for Malchus.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
Related Letters
I mourn for the Church that is deprived of the guidance of such a shepherd. But I have so much the more ground for congratulating you on being worthy of the privilege of enjoying, at such a moment, the society of one who is fighting such a good fight in the cause of the truth, and I am sure that you, who nobly support and stimulate his zeal, wil...
Ever since the autumn I have been quite ignorant of the whereabouts of your reverence; for I kept hearing uncertain rumours, some saying that you were stopping at Samosata, and some in the country, while others maintained that they had seen you at Batnæ. This is the reason of my not writing frequently. Now, on hearing that you are staying at Ant...