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

Affection would readily have drawn our brother Helpidius to set out, were it not that, on the contrary, concern for his only [child] holds him back. For there is in him so much sincerity and sweetness that to him alone are personal ties preferred. This man, so esteemed by me and so closely bound to me, I could not refuse to your instructions, since in cases of this kind the pleasure of yielding is greater with me than that of enjoying his company. Receive him, then, who loves us dearly, in the same spirit in which you asked for him, and judge, from the joy of those arriving, that what is granted to those summoned ought not to be denied by you 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