Letter 9017: You used to recommend young lawyers to my tribunal when I presided over the courts.

You used to recommend young lawyers to my tribunal when I presided over the courts. Now the roles are reversed, and I commend candidates for the bar to your instruction. You must follow my example in this: receive those I introduce with the same openness with which I always welcomed those you sent to me. I love devotees of literature -- not because I claim any kinship with such studies, but because the pursuit of the liberal arts, like beauty, gives pleasure even when found in another person. I thought it right to commend young Valentinianus, whom I met recently for the first time and found impressive, so that my letter might open the first door for him with you, and his own life and learning might win a fuller friendship. Farewell. It is a sacred duty, the care we show to the children of our friends -- especially when the friendship established with the parents is augmented by the merits of the next generation. This principle applies directly to the present case. For I did not value the distinguished Lampadius only until his burial, as is the fleeting and fragile affection of many; rather, I embrace his descendants, who strive to uphold their father's good name, with a love that has been extended across generations. I entrust them to you, to be defended from every injury. I ask that you act as a just arbiter on my behalf, should the need arise. The granting of this favor will redound greatly to your credit and to my gratitude. We have lost many exchanges of dutiful correspondence through delay in writing. I will not allow this shared fault to continue any longer. I therefore take upon myself the initiative in this sacred duty, and even if you put off replying, I will not change my course. The interval before your response will be your own decision -- only remember that a prompt return of greeting signals goodwill, while a late one signals mere obligation. I think I have said enough about restoring our exchange of letters. But my words should also bring some practical benefit to the man carrying this letter. He is a friend of mine and worthy of your patronage; if you look upon him with a favorable eye, he will rejoice that his fortunes have grown. You may keep silent and pretend not to notice my greeting -- you will never dislodge me from my faithful duty. I will eventually hammer you into abandoning this stubbornness. In the meantime, though I have not yet recovered confidence in you, I boldly undertake this task: I am eager to commend to you the bearer of this letter, a young man of proven seriousness whom I have long found worthy through honorable proofs. Nor is he untested, I believe, by your own judgment, since a man secure in his life and long experienced in service has never shrunk from the scrutiny of his superiors. But even if you have observed his qualities only partially, it would not be right -- if you value our friendship at all -- for him to come to you as a stranger after my endorsement. I hang in suspense until I hear news of your health, for you have added the strain of a long journey to a body still weak. I cannot be satisfied with the reports of travelers on this point, since deep affection inflames uncertainties with false rumors. I await a letter whose trustworthiness may bring me sure peace of mind concerning you. If you wish to know anything of my own affairs, you will learn it from the bearer of this letter. He is most devoted to us on account of his upright life, and I can attest that he deserves to be counted among the faithful friends of your household. Antistianus, a man of our senatorial order, has long pleased me by the integrity of his life and endeared himself through honorable service. That I assert this truthfully rather than out of partiality is shown by the nature of his present request. For having long served his city as its advocate, he desires at last to obtain the haven of private leisure -- a thing that should commend him to you even without my intercession. For it is your custom, in keeping with your virtue, to esteem those who desire quiet and know nothing of self-promotion. I therefore ask and implore you by this letter to deign to grant the rest he seeks. There will be no shortage of a replacement, since your choice can easily select from among so many leading men one equal in loyalty and diligence. My brother Nicias, to be counted among the foremost philosophers, has inspired in me a desire for your friendship, since he informed me by letter that you have betrothed your daughter to him by a faithful compact. This is evidence that your judgment is sound, and therefore all good men should seek your acquaintance of their own accord. For such a choice testifies to an admirable mind. I therefore spur on your excellent will and urge you to secure this most praiseworthy son-in-law as quickly as possible, with the gods' blessing. His addition to your family will win you the goodwill of many and add the distinction of a noble alliance. Farewell. Justice must always be observed, but toward noble and reputable persons there should be more restraint, so that discernment may be evident in judgment. I say this to recommend my intercession in general terms; but the specific nature of my request is as follows. The estates of my sister Italica, a distinguished lady, have been left uncultivated and are exhausted by the burden of public obligations. They need to be restored by judicial authority. I have promised this relief on the assurance of your fair-mindedness -- for one can be certain about the disposition of good men. If you care for me, then make good on my pledge, and whatever is advantageous to the affairs and interests of this absent matron, grant it with a ready nod, crediting to my gratitude whatever favor you bestow upon her. Farewell.

Solebas antehac, cnm tribunalibus praesiderem, fori tirones commendare iudiciis; quod nunc officium versa condicione suscepi, qui magisterio tuo causidicinae insinuo candidatos. qua in re meum necesse est sequaris exemplum, ut qua facilitate ob- latos a te frequenter admisi, eadem religione suscipias meos me adsertore productos. 25 xxxm (XXX). Adsectatores diligo litterarum, non quod mihi cum talibus studiis sit ulla cogna- F tio, sed quia professio bonarum artium quasi pulchritudo, etiam in alieno corpore lo- cata delectat. merito Valentinianum congressu mihi primore conpertum litteris pro- sequi officium meum duxi, ut ei apud te primam ianuam meus sermo reseraret, sua 30 vita atque eruditio conciliaret amicitiam pleniorem. vale. xxxnn (XXXI) . Religiosa cura est, quae amicorum liberis exhibetur, praesertim si familiaritas 17 delata maioribus cumuletur meritis posteriorum. in rem praesentem spectat praefata 1 ideo] Wingendorp, adeo {II) 7 deferendam] Stue, defendendam {II) 11 tales «duocationis enores plerumque repressisti] egOy talis aduocationis errorls plerumque resisti F, talis aduooationis errori restitisti {II) 13 nooenti] 8use, innoceuti {II) 17 parum cauto rogatus] F, paras mea ut arrogatus // 23 sequeris (//) in alieno] {F), in alieno etiam Fi, in alieno esset F^ 28 delectati F^ Valentinianum congre^su] //, ualentini congressum F primore compertum 11, primo repertum F 24G SYMMACHI EPISTVLAE n sententia. nam Lampaefium c. m. v. non nBqne ad sepulturam tantum pensi habni, nt solet esse mnltorum cadnca et fragilis adfectio, sed ex eo genitos et in bona pa- tema nitentes propagato amore conplec/or. hos tibi trado ab omni iniuria vindicandos. quaeso, ut vicem meam, si usus tulerit, iustus arbiter exequaris. multum huius bene- ficii impetratio in tuam laudem, in meam gratiam promovebit. 5 XXXV (xxxn). F Multas inter nos officiorum yices scribendi cunctatione perdidimus; non sinam produci longius commune delictum. adsumo igitur mihi religiosi muneris partes prio- res, et si referre verba distuleris, non mutabo propositum. tuae deliberationis erit intercapedo rescripti, modo ut memineris, adceleratum gratiae recursum voluntatis 10 signa praeferre, serum necessitatis. satis mihi videor instaurandis commerdis littera- rum locutus; aliquid sermo noster portanti litteras meas utilitatis debet adferre. est enim mihi familiaris dignusque patrocinio tuo ; quem si placido ore respexeris , for- tunas suas creyisse gaudebit. XXXVI (xxxm). 15 Taceas licet et salutationi respondere dissimules: numquam me a religioso officio demovebis; excudam quandoque, ut hac obstinatione decedas. interea nondum recu- perata fiducia tui audax munus ingredior; commendare enim tibi huius scripti studeo vectorem, iuvenem gravitatis exactae mihique dudum probatum per honesta documenta nec inexpertum, si recte aestimo, iudicio tuo; quia securus vitae et militiae vetus 20 numquam refngit examen superiorum. sed fac mediocriter a te bona homint^ esse perspecta, fas non est, si quid tribuis amicitiae nostrae, ut post testimonium meum tamquam novus andcus tibi accedat. xxxvn (xxxnn) . n Pendeo animo usque ad vale^c{fnis tuae nuntium ; nam infirmis adhuc viribus 25 tuis laborem longi itineris addidisti. nec possum super hoc commeantium sermonibus esse contentus; siquidem maior adfectio falsis accen^et dubia rumorum. expecto igi- tur litteras, quarum fides adportet mihi de te certam securitatem. si quid ipse meo- rum actuum scire postulas, ab epistulae perlatore cognosces. est enim nobis con- ciliatissimus ob vitae integritatem dignusque me teste , qui sedulo domus tuae culto- 30 ribus imeratur. 1 Lampadium] Lecthu, lampium (/7) asque ad sepuUuram tantum pensl] egoy usque ad saepem si Ff usque adpensi II 3 conpiector] luretuSj contemplor (77/^ stularum {1) 12 aliquid sermo — 13 tuo quem] 27, denique probum familiarem tuoque patrocinio dig- num F 14 creuisse] 77, om. F uale add, F extundam F ut ab hac obtinerotie (s add, supra t 2 m.) discedas F^ mimdum (77) 18 in- gredior] 77, ingrediar F studeo] (7^F, om, 77 21 examen superiorum] 77, Umen superiorem FF mediocritate F^ bona bominis esse perspecta] Lypshu, bona hominem esse perspecta F^, bona hominum esse perspecta F^, bominem esse perspectum (7^ 22 quid] quem F^ 23 uale add, F 25 pendo (77) ualedunls 77 27 accenset] ego, accepit (77), pro falsis accepit Modhu exopto (T^ 29 cognosces] Iuretu$y recognosces (77) 31 inseratur] luretua^ inferatur (77) xxxvni (XXXV). Antistianus vir ordinis nostri olim mihi probitate vitae conplacitus est et honestis /7 carus officiis. quod me ex vero potius quam in gratiam eias adserere, qualitas prae- sentis desiderii ostendit. nam diu patriae snae functus defensionem desiderat tandem 5 poiiiim privatae quietis adipisci , quae res tibi commendabilem facere etiamsi meus non interveniret adfatus. soles enim pro tua virtute diligere cupidos otii et nescios ambiendi. oratus igitur atque exoratus litteris meis dignare concedere optatam requiem vacare cupienti. nec deerit subrogandus, cum facile ex tot optima- tum numero parem fide atque industria virum tua edecumare possit e/ectio. 10 XXXVIin (XXXVI). Desiderium mihi amicitiae tuae frater meus Nicias cum primis philosophorum nu- F merandus incussit , postquam nobis per epistulam fecit indicium , quod ei filiam tuam fida pactione desponderis. quae res testimonio est, sincerum tibi inesse iudiciura et propterea familiaritatem tui ultro omnes bonos debere sectari. adserit enim proba- 15 bilem mentem talis electio. quare optimae voluntati tuae calcar admoveo teque hor- tor, ut quamprimum laudatissimum generum diis iuvantibus sortiaris; cuius accessio tibi et conciliabit gratiam plurimorum et decus adfinitatis adiciet. vale. XXXX (XXXVII). Ratio quidem semper habenda iustitiae est, sed circa nobiles probabilesque per- 20 sonas plus debet esse moderaminis, ut perspiciatur in discretione iudicium. hoc eo proloquor, ut interventum meum generalitate commendem; genus autem petitionis huiusmodi est. agri sororis meae Italicae inlustris feminae culturae vacuati et fessi onere munerum publicorum iudiciaria auctoritate refovendi sunt. hanc ego opem de tui animi aequitate promisi; certa est enim de bonorum mente praesumptio. spon- 25 sioni igitur meae, si tibi cordi sum, fidem praesta, et quidquid rebus atque rationibas matronae absentis adcommodum est, nutu facili tribue meae inputaturus gratiae, quid- quid illi favoris inpenderis. vale. 4 defensione [1) 5 facere etlamsi /7, suppU: deberet vd ainUU quid 7 atqoe exora- toa] Py om, (II) 9 tua edecnmare possit eiectio F^ tu edecnmare possis (II) cias] F», -N» F^, om, F^ 12 incussit] /ZF», incutit F«.2 postquam] quandoqnidem F» tuam] meam F3 13 inesse tibi F^ 14 familiarlUtes F^ altra Fi probabUem] pro paginae F^ uale om. F^ dum insticie est F^, iusticiae sero babenda est Fi 20 prospiciatur F^ baec ergo F^, nunc eo F^ uacuati] II, euacuati Fi.2^ euacuari F3 et fessi] 7T, oppressi F 23 ego] (77), ergo Fi, igitur F«, igitur queso F3 24 certe F» est om. F« 25 concordi 77 praesta fldem F^ et om. F« rebus om. F* 26 mat^ne F3 27 uale om, F3 248 SYMMACHl EPISTVLAE xxxxi (xxxvin) . /7 Silere non debui eo eommeante, qni tnns est. siqnidem nefiMsitndo inter vos futura persnadet, ut utrique yestmm similis a me diligentia deferatnr. qnare saln- tationem litterarum tibi defero et hortor, ut vimm devotissimnm Titiannm mihiqne amicissimum proraissae coniunctionis quamprimum conpotem praestes. 5 XXXXII (XXXVIIII). F Fructus laboris est placere melioribns et pro industria atque animi integritate pal- mam iudicii promereri. quapropter Benignus v. c. filius meus rei frnmentariae nego- tium pervigili animo et pnris manibus executus solam de te mercedem insti amoris expectat. testatur insomnes curas eius inbecillitas corporis. nihil enim de Sardinia 10 reportavit nisi bonam conscientiam et malam valetndinem, horreis antem tantnm fm- 2 gis invexit, qnantum illi provinciae anni fortnna contulerat. nnllns de eo mmor ad- versus, nulla conquestio nisi semper ad argnendum paratae. hornm omninm locnple- tissimum pretinm est, si amicitia tua dignns habeatur. qnod mihi declive ad impe- trationem videtnr; siqnidem necesse est te delectet eornm probitas, qnornm non 15 fefellit electio. XXXXIII (XXXX). Religiosa potius qnam invidiosa quaestio est, qnae fidem pactarnm repetit nnp- tiamm. nolo igitnr existimes, cnlpabiliter ad me esse perlatum, qnod pactas filiae tnae nuptias cum Herculio amicissimo meo haesitatione suspendas; sed ceteris, qnos 20 matrimonii de te impetrati vel adintores scit fuisse vel testes, me qnoqne volnit ad- 2 movere, ut snspensa diu vota novi hortatoris inpnlsus acceleret. maneat igitnr, oro te, stabilitas promissornm nec senatoriam fidem volnntatis mutatio devenustet. prosit etiam pacto foederi meae pro illo petitionis adiectio, cui non sine contnmelia placita denegabis, cum prompte nobis deferre etiam intemptata debneris. certe ea viri mo- 25 destia, ea in foro Romano dignitas est, nt quantnm ei gratiae tribuisti, tantnm oraa- 3 menti ex genero conseqnaris. nberes laudes eins et vitae honestamenta proseqnerer, 3 simUis] (r), om, (77) 4 tidanum (77) propter] /7, quare F2.3, qua te F» u. c. flUus] IIF^, ut confllius F», confllius F3 negotia F» dinio Fi, sardino F^, sardonia F^ 12 de ea (T^ 13 nuUa conquestio nisi] F, nuUae conque- stiones F, nuUa oonquaestio {om, nisi) /7 paratae] FF, parata JI 14 inihi] hoe loeo habeni TIF, po8t impetrationem eoU, F^»^, poit decliue F^ declunae F^ impetrationem] IirF^»\ impetran- dum F< 15 siquidem necesse est] FF^*^, si quid necesse est F^, om. II te] r*, ut te F, cum te 77 16 uale add. FI.2 igitur] 77, om, F 23 nec] sed F^ mutatio uoluntatis F^ uoluntatis om, F^ prosit] LypsiuSy et prosit F 24 etiam pacto foederi] Fi, in pacto fldei F2.3 meae] (77)F«.3, mea F« cui non om. F3 placida F^ 1 m, 25 deferre] 77, deferta F2.3^ deserU F> etiam] et F* intemptamenta F^ decreueris F3 certa F^ 26 Romano] ratiocinatio F3 ut] in F^ ex genere omamenti F^ 27 genero] Lypsius^ genere F si ta noYum aliquem videreris admittere; at cum tibi eius bona esse conperta, eyi- F denter adstruat dudum recepta condicio, non debeo eius protelare praeconium, quem tibi suscepti foederis pignus indicat iam probatum. vale. xxxxnn (xxxxi). 5 Dtisarius medicinae professor virwm sanctae memoriae atque inlustris patrem tuum H spe et quia ei cohaerere decreverat, rerum suarum in Aquita- nicam nonnulla praemisit. ntvnc contra bonorum omnium votum tanti viri obitu de- stitutus, relegere ad suos iter, ut parens adtestatur eius, exoptat. iuva, quaeso te, piam iuvenis voluntatem, et quae ei pro insita moribus tuis fidelitate reddenda se- 10 dulo spo/)ondisti, iube ocius reportari, ne illi supra vulnus amissae spei iniuria longae peregrinationis addatur. xxxxv (xxxxn). Pervectae sunt ad me litterae tuae, cum in Campanis litoribus otiarer. credo te F fando aut lectione didicisse, quanta sit huius regionis venustas: vicit epistula tua 15 adpositas voluptates. spretis igitur ceteris, quae ingerebat loci gratia, totum animum recensendae paginae usque ad memoriam mancipavi. utinam plura dictasses! mifai tamen saepe repetita instar multorum fuerunt. posthac cave parcius promas, qnod ex abundantia ingenii tui nascitur, ne me quoque. cui stilus pauper est, in artum revocet voluntaria frugalitas tua. quod restat, Aurelium tibi denuo iu manum tradi- 20 mus, non quo inefficax fuerit prior commendatio, sed ut meritum eius nostramque curam testetur etiam iteratio. vale. XXXXVI (XXXXIII) . Quisquis a nobis in commendationem sui litteras petit; praestat gratiam, accipere. antiquior est enim mihi amicitiae cultus, quam illis praesidii impetratio. 25 repende igitur huius pro me operae mercedem scripta reddenti et pro mediocritate fortunae hominem munerare. in tuo iure est, an etiam me tui officii honore digneris; indactam coprobauit n nale om, F^ 5 Dusarins] MomvMen, disarius (JI) nimm] Seioppius, uir {II)r tunm Bpe ««»«««««««««♦ et] r, tuum *»«««««««««««« et {II) 7 nunc] Oruter, nec {II) 8 optat {F) 10 spondisti {II) lectione F^, credo antem te faudo lectioueque F^, credo autem fando leotione F^ 14 regionis] F^, re- ligioniB Fi*.2 aetusUs F^ 15 spretis — 16 mancipani om, F^ ceteris] F^, litteris Fi quae] H, om, F 16 nsque ad memoriam (meriam F) mancipaui] Ur, om. F 17 saepe repetita] r, saepe petita U, sero petita Fi*3, sero potita F^ mnltarnm F^ posthaec {II) 18 tui om, F^ nascatnr F3 ne] Lypsiw; om. F cui] tui F2 1 m. 19 fragilitas F3 manus F3 gratiam, quam se putat accipere Seioppius 24 enim mihi est F8 milii om. F^ iUius F^, ullis F3 interpretatlo F* 25 responde F8 buius om. F8 pro me] {11), promptae F pro mediocritate] {II), pro medioritate F3, pro om. F^*^ 26 an etiam me tui offlcii] F*, an ^ (i. e. esse) me tni offlcii F^, ut etiam me tui offlcii F8, me etiam mutui offlcii luretus Q. AVBBLIYS STMMAOHVB. 32 250 SYMMACHI EPISTVLAE F neque enim verborum fenus exerceo, ut te de solutione conveniam. grave enim est