Letter 959: Libanius petitions Tatianus to grant his son Cimon an official post to protect him from the burdens and physical dangers of the municipal council.

I should have written long ago about what I am writing now, but some hesitation prevented me; now that the matter is urgent, I can no longer remain silent, even if I wished to. For you would be angry later hearing it, that you did not hear it before. What then do I ask and what do I wish to receive from a man who delights in granting fine favors? I had a son by a good woman, and such a woman that her character made me think little of the great wealth of those who have daughters of wealthy fathers. Wishing the boy to become a rhetor, since he had the ability to speak, I enrolled him among the advocates; he did not collect much gold, but his tongue brought him much praise even from those who fought against him. The one who received the kingship from Zeus himself, knowing the whole matter, helps with a help fitting his nature. Being stronger than those who would prevent it, he allowed my small possessions to pass to him, and they did. Instead of this honor, may the Emperor always enjoy better fortune. Some of our friends were leading him to the council, while others were keeping him where he was; and he, thinking the latter wiser, held back from speaking, fearing the ships and the grain and the sea and the blows in the council, which he had never suffered even for the sake of words. He found one refuge: the belt and the office. With tears he begs me to take heart and send you the letter that will do this; he will certainly be content with whatever is given, for he will have the same security always, even if it is this. This can be seen in many examples. Dissolve his fear, noble friend, both for the young man and the old. For even if these terrors happen after I am dead, the word of wise men is that joy and grief exist even under the earth.