Theodoret of Cyrrhus→Claudianus|c. 440 AD|theodoret cyrrhus
From: Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To: Claudianus
Date: ~440 AD
Context: A warm letter of friendship carried by a military officer, affirming that true bonds survive distance and time.
To Claudianus,
Sincere friendships are neither dissolved by distance nor weakened by time. Time does indeed inflict indignities on our bodies -- it strips them of the bloom of beauty and brings on old age. But friendship it only makes more beautiful, constantly kindling its fire to greater warmth and brightness.
So although I am separated from your magnificence by many days' journey, the goad of friendship drives me to write this greeting. The letter is carried by the standard-bearer Patroinus, a man whose high character makes him worthy of every respect -- he strives with great zeal to observe the laws of God.
Please be so kind, most excellent sir, as to send back by him news of your precious health, and word on whether you have fulfilled that promise of yours.
Letter 59
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To Claudianus.
Sincere friendships are neither dissolved by distance of place nor weakened by time. Time indeed inflicts indignities on our bodies, spoils them of the bloom of their beauty, and brings on old age; but of friendship he makes the beauty yet more blooming, ever kindling its fire to greater warmth and brightness. So separated as I am from your magnificence by many a day's march, pricked by the goad of friendship I indite you this letter of salutation. It is conveyed by the standard-bearer Patroinus, a man who on account of his high character is worthy of all respect, for he endeavours with much zeal to observe the laws of God. Deign, most excellent sir, to give us by him information of your excellency's precious health, and of the desired fulfilment of your promise.
◆
From:Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrrhus
To:Claudianus
Date:~440 AD
Context:A warm letter of friendship carried by a military officer, affirming that true bonds survive distance and time.
To Claudianus,
Sincere friendships are neither dissolved by distance nor weakened by time. Time does indeed inflict indignities on our bodies -- it strips them of the bloom of beauty and brings on old age. But friendship it only makes more beautiful, constantly kindling its fire to greater warmth and brightness.
So although I am separated from your magnificence by many days' journey, the goad of friendship drives me to write this greeting. The letter is carried by the standard-bearer Patroinus, a man whose high character makes him worthy of every respect -- he strives with great zeal to observe the laws of God.
Please be so kind, most excellent sir, as to send back by him news of your precious health, and word on whether you have fulfilled that promise of yours.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.