Letter 2086: Although the difficulties of communication have increased with distance, I do not allow them to interrupt the...

Affection would easily have drawn our brother Helpidius to set out on his journey, had not the care of his only child held him back against my wishes. So great, indeed, is the sincerity and sweetness in him that only the closest bonds of kinship take precedence over his devotion. I could not refuse to your requests one so proven and so dear to me, since in such matters the pleasure of yielding is greater for me than that of keeping him. Receive, then, this man who is most devoted to us, in the same spirit with which you asked for him, and judge from the joy of those who come to you that what is granted to the summoned ought not to be denied to those who remain. Farewell.

3o Facilem fratrem nostrum Helpidium ad proficiscendum traxisset adfectio, nisi f etenme unici cura retineret. tantum quippe est in eo sinceritatis atque dulcedinis, ut illi soloe necessitudines praeferantur. bunc ita spectatnm mihi atque coniunctum 10 eultos P dissimiliter] Latinua Laiiniu8y similiter PP^ fort. facile in ftatrem nostrum Helpidium ad proflciscendum traxisset adfectio, nisi contra me unici cura re- tineret retinere P 1 m. 32 solae] Lniinim^ soli P 9* 68 SYMMACHI EPISTVLAE P inssis tuis negare non potni, qnia in talibns cansis maior apnd me cedendi volnptas est qnam fmendi. snscipe igitnr amantissimnm nostri eo animo , qno rogasti , et ae- stima de gandio adventantinm, negari a te non oportere residentibns, qnod praestatnr accitis. vale. LXXXVI (LXXXV) ante a. 395. 5