Letter 87: By the gods and by philosophy itself -- give some measure of help to the teacher Cleobulus.

By the gods and by philosophy itself -- give some measure of help to the teacher Cleobulus. His demands are just, and you have always stood on the side of justice. You have only to nod, and those who are currently abusing him will find themselves suddenly moderate. Alexander and Severus are a perfect pair of rogues -- a matched team, as the saying goes -- and they claim they'll sooner stop breathing than stop their mischief. But once they realize that Themistius won't stand for it, they'll become better men, if not willingly then at least by force. I've sent Zoilus to brief you on whatever you need to know and to remind you, in case the burden of looking after too many people has distracted you from this particular matter. I was writing this while Cleobulus was ill. He's sick from despair, because two beetles [i.e., pests] are trampling all over him. If something is done quickly, he'll likely recover -- and you'll gain the reputation of having saved a friend.

**To Themistius** (359) By the gods and by philosophy — grant some measure of aid to the teacher Cleobulus. His requests are just, and it is your habit to stand on the side of justice. You need only nod, and those who now behave so outrageously will soon be found quite moderate. Alexander and Severus are simply a matched pair of rogues, and they say they will sooner stop breathing than stop making trouble. But once they learn that Themistius will not permit it, they will perhaps become better men — if not willingly, then against their will. Zoilus has been sent to inform you, should you need any details, and to remind you, should the care of your many responsibilities draw your attention away from this matter. I write this while Cleobulus is ill — and he is sick from despair, because two beetles are running him down. If something is done quickly, he will likely recover, and you will win the reputation of having saved a friend.

Θεμιστίῳ. (359) Πρὸς θεῶν καὶ φιλοσοφίας. νεῖμόν τι βοηθείας τῷ δι- δασκάλῳ Κλεοβούλῳ· δίκαιά τε γὰρ δεῖται καὶ σοὶ μετὰ τῶν δικαίων ἔθος ἑστάναι. καὶ ἅμα δεῖ νεῦσαι καὶ τοὺς νῦν ὑβρίζοντας ὄψεταί τις μετρίους. ἐστὸν μὲν οὖν Ἀλέξανδρός τε καὶ Σευῆρος ἀτεχνῶς Κρωβύλου ζεῦγος καὶ πρότερόν φασι τοῦ ἐμπνεῖν ἢ τοῦ κακουργεῖν παύσεσθαι, γνόντες δέ, ὡς οὐκ ἐπιτρέψει Θεμίστιος, εἰ καὶ μὴ ἑκόντες, ἀλλ’ ἄκοντες ἴσως ἔσονται βελτίους. Ζωίλος δὲ ἀπέσταλται διδάξων τε, εἴ του δέοιο καὶ ὑπομνήσων, εἴ σε τὸ πλειόνων κήδεσθαι τῆς περὶ ταῦτα προνοίας ἀπάγοι. ταῦτα ἔγραφον ἀσθενοῦντος Κλεο- βούλου, νοσεῖ δὲ ἀθυμῶν, ὅτι αὐτοῦ καταθέουσι δύο καν- θάρω. ἢν οὖν τι ταχέως πραχθῇ, τοῦτόν τε εἰκὸς ἀνοίσειν καὶ σοὶ δόξαν ἔσεσθαι τὴν τοῦ σεσωκέναι φίλον.