Letter 70: For the past year, no letter has come from your sacred hand, and I count that among the many calamities that have...

To Proclus. For the past year, no letter has come from your sacred hand, and I count that among the many calamities that have fallen on me. I have suffered many griefs in many ways this past year, and now this winter has snatched from me the child who was the last joy remaining to me. No doubt it was my fate to be happy when I was with you, and to experience nothing but evil fortune when apart. At the very least, may some letter come from your fatherly heart to alleviate my grief — the most precious cargo that could arrive from Thrace.

Letter 70: Death of Synesius' son [1] To Proclus During the year which has just passed no letter has come to me from your sacred hand, and I look upon this as one of a number of calamities which have happened to me at this juncture. For I have suffered many griefs in many ways this last year, and now this winter has snatched away from me that child who was all the joy that remained to me. [2] No doubt it was my fate to be happy when in your company, but when away to have experience of evil fortune. At all events may there come from your fatherly heart some letter that shall alleviate my grief, the most precious cargo that comes from Thrace !