Letter 5018: I was glad — genuinely glad — to learn that you have begun to preside over the city of the Aedui [Autun].

Sidonius to his friend Attalus. I was glad — genuinely glad — to learn that you have begun to preside over the city of the Aedui [Autun]. My joy is fourfold: first, because you are my friend; second, because you are just; third, because you are firm; fourth, because you are nearby. All of which means that you are in a position to render the greatest assistance to our affairs and those of our people, both in your desire and in your ability to do so. Embracing the new authority of your recently acquired office alongside our old friendship, I have long been looking for an occasion to draw on your generosity. And I want you to know how much I trust in it: even if I cannot find anything to ask for, I rather expect you to find something to give. Farewell.

EPISTULA XVIII Sidonius Attalo suo salutem. 1. Haeduae civitati te praesidere coepisse libens atque cum gaudio accepi. laetitiae causa quadripartita est: prima, quod amicus; secunda, quod iustus es; tertia, quod severus; quarta, quod proximus. quo fit, ut nostris nostrorumque contractibus plurimum velis debeas possis opitulari. igitur amplectens in familiari vetusto novum ius potestatis indeptae materiam beneficiis tuis iam diu quaero. quibus me tantum fidere agnosce, ut, etsi non invenio quae poscam, quaesiturus mihi videaris ipse quae tribuas. vale.