Letter 3043: It is the mark of your character to give commands that are both pious and just.

It is the mark of your character to give commands that are both pious and just. I say this at the outset so you may know that I have both carried out and approved what you instructed regarding the son of the distinguished Baebianus. Your letter requesting it was actually unnecessary -- I should have been reminded of this duty, not asked. And besides, I myself had the closest friendship with the man. So it happened that the favor of personal affection was joined to the justice of the petition. To cut it short: the records of our curia's proceedings concerning his acquittal will reach your hands, and they will show that the speed you and Baebianus hoped for has been granted out of respect for your wishes and his standing. In return for this service, I ask for more frequent letters [Text breaks off in source.]

Mentis tuae est pia et iusta mandare. quod ideo praeloquor, ut et implesse me noveris, quae pro filio ^ae&iani viri clarissimi iusseras, et probassc. supervacua igitur fuit postulatio litterarum tuarum; moneri enim me de hoc oportuit non rogari. quid quod etiam mihi cum illo summa familiaritas fuit? unde factum est, ut aequttati 25 petitionis favor amicitiae iungeretur. quid multa? venient in manus tuas commentana cnriae nostrae super eius absolutione confecta, quae indicent tuae voluntati et Baebiani reverentiae delatam cupitorum celeritatem. fad huius opere peto litteras crebriores, quarum tibi pro facundiae tuae opibus facilis liberalitas erit, mihi pro cultu mutuo pretiosa perceptio. tem dedfsse. uolo enim et q. «. Mommaen, ne tibi uideor medendi artem morbi diuturnitate declinaasel in- rideas simpllcitatem meam. uolo enim et q. 8. ego 9 uerecundiam P 1 m. V fldicia V ex te Bumpta] exterum ita P(/V) 11 quem] fldem F, fldem quam M frequentif P quae P2m. V, lectiriae quae P 1 m. 16 mei] me P / m. 18 prouocemus V uale add. VF uquitur in V II, 51 uiani P, habemani V, auiani M 24 aequiUti] M, aequaliUti PV 25 iungeretur ut quid P commentaria] ego, commento PVM 26 bebianl PV, auiani M 27 ad hoius opere] PV, ad haeo opera Jtf, aerihe: sat huius operae! peto et q, $. 28 liberalitatjs P, liberatis V 11* 84 SYMMACHI EPI8TVLAE XXXXII.