To Florentius. (359/60)
With the same pen, but not with the same mind, we send you the letters that we send on behalf of those who carry them; rather, of some men we write because we are unable to escape the crowd of them, and we have no concern if no good comes to those for whom there is nothing favorable; but for others we write with all our heart, and we add prayers to our letters, and if those men enjoy your influence, the gain is ours.
Of such men is this Miccalus here, or rather the first of those whom I have ranked in this class. For having been born of fathers who were friends to one another, we inherited this fine relationship; and since Olympius, who has labored much on my behalf, loves Miccalus his brother more than a son, it would be shameful for me not to contribute even something through letters toward his journey [...] not as though neither the character of Miccalus nor the letters of Olympius were sufficient to rouse you to give your support.
For though there are many things that win you the praise of serious men, what is most admired is that you place your old acquaintances before those who pay court to power. Yet nevertheless, knowing these things, and knowing this besides, that you will shrink from nothing wherein Miccalus ought to fare well, in order that some share of the credit for what is done may come to my letters, I have joined in the entreaty.
And the greatest part of a favor is the speed about it, by which even a small favor would often appear greater. For above all it would have been fitting that even while Miccalus sat at home some of the things befitting such men should come to him; but since you, perhaps wishing the labors to precede the honors, have ordered him to travel, nevertheless he has come. Do you, then, not delay. For he will think, if he should return quickly, that he has not even been set in motion.
Consider all things together: his age, that he is still unmarried, his mother's old age and her desire, and the mind of Olympius, how he prayed that this man should be called father in his own stead.
Lend your aid, therefore, noble sir, toward the succession of the family, so that it may be mine to make ready the bride, and yours to send back the young man to us both splendid and quick. For I shall be in love, as befits a bridegroom, even though my head does not allow it.
**To Florentius** (359/60)
We send you letters on behalf of their bearers in the same language, but not with the same feeling. Some we write because we cannot escape the nuisance of the request — if nothing comes of them, we do not care. But others we write with all our heart, and add prayers to the words; if those men gain the benefit of your influence, the profit is ours.
Miccalus here is one of the latter — indeed, he stands first among those I rank in that category. For we were born of fathers who were friends to one another, and we inherited that fine bond. And since Olympius, who loves his brother Miccalus more than a son, has labored much on my behalf, it would have been shameful for me not to contribute at least a letter toward this journey — not that Miccalus's own character or Olympius's letters are insufficient to rouse you to his aid.
For among the many qualities that win you praise from men of worth, what is most admired is that you place old friends above those who merely court your power. And yet, knowing this — and knowing too that you will spare no effort where Miccalus deserves to be well treated — I have joined my voice to the appeal all the same, so that some share of the credit for what is done may fall to my letter.
The greatest part of any favor is the speed with which it is given, by which even a small kindness often appears greater. Ideally, some distinction fitting for a man of his standing should have come to Miccalus while he sat at home. But since, perhaps wishing that toil should precede honors, you ordered him to make the journey — well, he has come. Do not delay. For if he returns quickly, he will feel as though he was never uprooted at all.
Consider everything together: his age, the fact that he is still unmarried, his mother's old age and her longing, and the wish of Olympius — who has prayed that this man be called "father" in his own stead.
Help, then, noble friend, with the continuation of the family line. It is my part to prepare the bride; yours to send the young man back to us — splendidly and swiftly. For I shall make him look as a bridegroom should, even if his hair will not cooperate.
With the same pen, but not with the same mind, we send you the letters that we send on behalf of those who carry them; rather, of some men we write because we are unable to escape the crowd of them, and we have no concern if no good comes to those for whom there is nothing favorable; but for others we write with all our heart, and we add prayers to our letters, and if those men enjoy your influence, the gain is ours.
Of such men is this Miccalus here, or rather the first of those whom I have ranked in this class. For having been born of fathers who were friends to one another, we inherited this fine relationship; and since Olympius, who has labored much on my behalf, loves Miccalus his brother more than a son, it would be shameful for me not to contribute even something through letters toward his journey [...] not as though neither the character of Miccalus nor the letters of Olympius were sufficient to rouse you to give your support.
For though there are many things that win you the praise of serious men, what is most admired is that you place your old acquaintances before those who pay court to power. Yet nevertheless, knowing these things, and knowing this besides, that you will shrink from nothing wherein Miccalus ought to fare well, in order that some share of the credit for what is done may come to my letters, I have joined in the entreaty.
And the greatest part of a favor is the speed about it, by which even a small favor would often appear greater. For above all it would have been fitting that even while Miccalus sat at home some of the things befitting such men should come to him; but since you, perhaps wishing the labors to precede the honors, have ordered him to travel, nevertheless he has come. Do you, then, not delay. For he will think, if he should return quickly, that he has not even been set in motion.
Consider all things together: his age, that he is still unmarried, his mother's old age and her desire, and the mind of Olympius, how he prayed that this man should be called father in his own stead.
Lend your aid, therefore, noble sir, toward the succession of the family, so that it may be mine to make ready the bride, and yours to send back the young man to us both splendid and quick. For I shall be in love, as befits a bridegroom, even though my head does not allow it.
AI-assisted translation - This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.