Letter 777: Second attempts are better, they say — or, if you prefer, luckier.

To Demetrius. (362) Second attempts are better, they say — or, if you prefer, luckier. For this one reached where it was sent, and not Paphos instead of the maiden. We pass the time partly rejoicing, partly not, because of the scarcity in the marketplace. As for the speech for the festival, it still wishes to remain hidden but is being dragged into the open by the emperor, and will perhaps appear — for he must prevail. But what I uttered over the pyre, amid tears at what had been done, I have sent to you. You are full of skill and familiar with the works of our elders, so surely you will not condemn one who laments such things.

Δημητρίῳ. (362) Δευτέρων φασὶν ἀμεινόνων ἤ, εἰ βούλει γε, εὐτυχε- στέρων· ταύτῃ γὰρ κατῆρεν, οἷπερ ἐπέμπετο, καὶ οὐκ Πάφος ἀντὶ παρθένου. διάγομεν δὲ τὰ μὲν χαίροντες, τὰ δὲ οὐχ οὕτω διὰ τὴν τῆς ἀγορᾶς πενίαν. λόγος δὲ ὁ μὶν εἰς τὴν πανήγυριν ἔτι μέλλει κρύπτεσθαι μὲν ἐθέλων, ἑλκόμενος δὲ εἰς μέσον παρὰ τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ ἴσως φανεῖται, δεῖ γὰρ ἐκεῖνον κρατεῖν· ἃ δ’ ἐπὶ τῷ πυρὶ καὶ οἷς ἴδρασεν ἅμα δάλρυ- σιν ἐφθεγξάμην, ἀπέσταλκά σοι τέχνης δὲ γέμων καὶ τῶν τοῖς πρεσβυτέροις πεποιημένων οὐ δήπου καταγνώσῃ τοῦ τὰ τοιαῦτα θρηνοῦντος.