Letter 5004: As for the fact that I sent a letter but received none in return — I attribute it to friendship, but I credit it...

Sidonius to his friend Simplicius. As for the fact that I sent a letter but received none in return — I attribute it to friendship, but I credit it even more to modesty. For unless I am unfair in my judgment, the failure to return my greeting was not contempt but shyness. But if you continue to shut and bolt your door against my chattering page, I shall, of course, not begrudge you your peace — but I give you notice that I will find my culprits not far from you. For it is not unfair to redirect the full blame for your silence onto the arrogance of your sons, who — sensing that they are loved — develop a certain disdain for my attentiveness. You ought to remind them, with a father's authority, to make a point of sweetening the bitterness of the offense they have given me with polished words. Farewell.

EPISTULA IV Sidonius Simplicio suo salutem. 1. Quod non recepi scripta qui miseram, imputo amicitiae, sed deputo plus pudori. nam, nisi praeter aequum autumo, ut salutatio mihi debita dissimularetur, non illud contumacia sed verecundia fuit. at si ulterius paginae garrienti forem claudis, pessulum opponis, quieti quidem tuae non invitus indulgeo, sed non procul a te reos meos inventurum me esse denuntio. 2. nam totam silentii vestri invidiam verti non iniurium est ad superbiam filiorum, qui se diligi sentientes quoddam patiuntur de nostra sedulitate fastidium. quos monere pro patria auctoritate debebitis, ut contractae apud nos offensae amaritudinem politis affatibus dulcare non desinant. vale.