Letter 1: [To Clearchus]

I was about to write asking you to help the worthy but poor Faustinus, and I supposed that these very things would be enough to win your aid for him: his character and his poverty. But Celsus, coming upon me and learning what I was doing, said that you had long ago set your hand to the help, yet had accomplished none of the things you wished. Now, if anyone else were saying this, I would put up with it, that he wished to act but was unable; but let Clearchus not learn to make such excuses for himself. For that very thing is shocking and an accusation against the Council, if not even your nod were sufficient with it. To Elebichus. (383 or 387?) The worthy Florentianus did not bring me a letter from you, but he persuaded me to write first, swearing that I am loved by you. And I, not disbelieving him, but marveling at you, that you made those few words of that evening the beginning of a friendship, have written, both knowing the favor of being loved and demanding letters in return. But if again you are hindered by the multitude of your affairs, still even to be loved alone is a great thing to me.

I was about to write asking you to help the worthy but poor Faustinus, and I thought these facts alone — his character and his poverty — would be sufficient to move you to assistance. But Celsus came to me and, learning what I intended to do, said that you had long since taken up the cause of helping him, yet had accomplished nothing of what you wished. Now if another man told me this, I might accept the excuse that he wanted to help but was unable. But let Clearchus never learn to make such apologies. For it would be a terrible thing, and an indictment of the senate, if even a nod from you were not enough to sway it. *To Elebocius (383 or 387?)* The good Florentianus brought me no letter from you, but he persuaded me to write first by swearing that I am loved by you. And I, not doubting him but marveling that those few words spoken on that evening should have been the beginning of a friendship, have written — both to express my gratitude for being loved and to demand a letter in return. And if, indeed, the press of your affairs prevents you from writing, still, for me it is a great thing simply to be loved.

ἔμελλον γράφων δεήσεσθαί σου βοηθῆσαι τῶ χρηστῷ μέν, πένητι δὲ Φαυστίνῳ, αὐτὰ δὲ ταῦτα ἀρκέσειν ἡγούμην σοι πρὸς τὴν βοήθειαν, τόν τε τρόπον τήν τε πενίαν. Κέλ- σος δὲ ἐπελθὼν καὶ μαθὼν ὃ ποιήσοιμι, πάλαι μέν σε τῆς βοηθείας εἶπεν ἧφθαι, πρᾶξαι δὲ οὐδὲν ὧν ἐβούλου. ἐγὼ δὲ ἄλλου μὲν ταῦτα λέγοντος ἀνασχοίμην ἄν, ὅτι βουληθεὶς οὐκ ἠδυνήθη, Κλέαρχος δὲ μὴ μάθοι τοιαῦτα ἀπολογεῖσθαι. δεινὸν γὰρ τοῦτό γε καὶ κατηγορία τῆς βουλῆς, εἰ μή σοι πρὸς αὐτὴν ἀρκοίη καὶ νεῦμα. Ἐλεβίκῳ. (383 vel 387?) Γράμματα μὲν ὁ χρηστὸς Φλωρεντιανὸς οὐκ ἤνεγκέ μοι παρὰ σοῦ, γράψαι δέ με πρότερον ἔπεισεν ὀμόσας ἐμὲ φιλεῖ- σθαι παρὰ σοῦ. καὶ ἐγὼ τῲ μὲν οὐκ ἀπιστήσας, σὲ δὲ θαυ- μάσας εἰ τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς ἑσπέρας ἐκείνης ῥήματα ὀλίγα φιλίας ἀρχὴν ἐποιήσω, γέγραφα τοῦ τε φιλεῖσθαι χάριν εἰδὼς καὶ γράμματα ἀπαιτῶν. εἰ δ’ αὖ καὶ κωλύῃ τῷ πλήθει τῶν πραγ- μάτων, ἀλλ’ ἔμοιγε μέγα καὶ τὸ φιλεῖσθαι μόνον.