To Olympius.
When I read the letter where you described your illness, I was alarmed at first. Then I was reassured — after initially terrifying me about a danger you had faced, you ended with the good news of your recovery.
As for the things you asked me to send or bring: everything that is possible will be sent or brought. Which items are possible and which impossible, I need not say — the gift will declare itself.
Live on in health and happiness and acceptance with God, my thrice-dear friend. May we soon be together and rejoice in one another. Do not set out before we meet. But if heaven decides otherwise, at least remember me in spite of our separation. You will meet many better people than Synesius, but you will never find anyone who loves you more.
Letter 97: Greetings
[1] To Olympius
On reading the letter wherein you spoke to me of your illness, I was at first alarmed. At last I was reassured, for after first alarming me about a danger you had incurred, you ended by announcing the good news of your recovery. [2] As to the things you asked me to send or bring to you, all that are possible will certainly be sent or brought. But which of them are possible, and which impossible, it is needless to say, for the gift will declare itself. [3] Live on in health and happiness, and acceptance with God, friend thrice dear! May we soon be together again, and rejoice in one another! Do not set out before we meet. But if Heaven decide otherwise, at least remember me, in spite of separation. You will meet with many better people than Synesius, but you will never find any others who love you more.
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To Olympius.
When I read the letter where you described your illness, I was alarmed at first. Then I was reassured — after initially terrifying me about a danger you had faced, you ended with the good news of your recovery.
As for the things you asked me to send or bring: everything that is possible will be sent or brought. Which items are possible and which impossible, I need not say — the gift will declare itself.
Live on in health and happiness and acceptance with God, my thrice-dear friend. May we soon be together and rejoice in one another. Do not set out before we meet. But if heaven decides otherwise, at least remember me in spite of our separation. You will meet many better people than Synesius, but you will never find anyone who loves you more.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.