Letter 68: Procopius prays Fortune will reunite separated friends.

The memory of good men knows how to give delight even without sight of them, and especially when those who once filled us with complete affection are no longer present to supply the pleasure of being seen. At that point, not knowing what to do, we have longing in place of sight, and longing continually supplies memory. People impress the absent upon themselves again and contrive an imitation of presence. I state this maxim because I have fallen into just such a condition. Having experienced and admired you, I seek you again when you are not present, and I pray that Fortune will devise something new and someday bring together lovers who are so far apart.

Θωμᾶι Τῶν ἀγαθῶν ἀνδρῶν εὐφραίνειν οἶδε καὶ χωρὶς θέας ἡ μνήμη, καὶ τότε μᾶλλον, ἡνίκα τοὺς πειραθέντας ὅλου πληρώσαντες ἔρωτος μηκέτι παρῶσι χορηγοῦντες ἀεὶ τῇ θέᾳ τὴν ἡδονήν. τότε γὰρ ἀποροῦντες οἵτινες γένωνται τὸν πόθον ἔχουσιν ἀντὶ τῆς θέας ἀεὶ χορηγοῦντα τὴν μνήμην. ἑαυτοῖς γὰρ ἀνατυποῦσι τοὺς ἀπελθόντας καὶ παρόντων σοφίζονται μίμημα. ταῦτα γνωμολογῶ τοιούτῳ πάθει περιπεσών, ἐξ οὗ καὶ πειραθεὶς ἐθαύμασα καὶ μὴ παρόντα πάλιν ζητῶ, καὶ τὴν Τύχην προσεύχομαι μηχανᾶσθαί τι καινὸν καὶ συνάγειν ποτὲ τοὺς τοσοῦτον ἀλλήλων ἀπέχοντας ἐραστάς.