Letter 674: You could have written to me with the same ink and the same hand.

To Polychronius. (361) It was possible, from the same ink and by the same hand, to write to us as well; but as it is, you write nothing to me, while on my behalf you write to Olympius. And then do you suppose that I am hesitant out of regard for you, while I myself say that I am being dishonored? My tongue, then, you will escape; but my son will exact satisfaction from you, when, in coming to my aid, he accuses his father. Yet may we live to see that day; and Malchus is in many respects worthy of our forethought. And now, rearing a child for the noble Modestus, he gratifies everyone by his labor, and is ready for everyone, to be employed for whatever one wishes. Knowing your disposition toward me, he bids me write, and I did not delay. It would therefore be your part to emulate my swiftness and to make Malchus's life more cheerful.

Πολυχρονίῳ. (361) Ἐξῆν ἀπὸ τοῦ αὐτοῦ μέλανος καὶ διὰ τῆς αὐτῆς χειρὸς καὶ πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἐπιστέλλειν· νῦν δὲ ἐμοὶ μὲν οὐδέν, ὑπὲρ ἐμοῦ δὲ πρὸς Ὀλύμπιον γράφεις. εἶτ’ οἴει με τιμῶν ὀκνεῖν, ἐγὼ δὲ ἀτιμάζεσθαι λέγω. τὴν μὲν οὖν ἐμὴν διαφεύξῃ γλῶτταν, ὁ δ’ υἱὸς ἀπαιτήσει σε δίκας, ὅταν ἐμοὶ βοηθῶν κατηγορῇ τοῦ πατρός. ἀλλ’ ἐκείνην μὲν ἴδοιμεν τὴν ἡμέραν, Μάλχος δὲ πολλαχόθεν ἄξιος ἡμῖν προνοίας. ἤδη δὲ τῷ γενναίῳ Μοδέστῳ παιδίον τρέφων πᾶσι μὲν χαρίζεται τῷ πόνῳ, πᾶσι δὲ ἕτοιμος εἰς ὅ τι βούλεται χρῆσθαι. τὴν δὲ σὴν εἰς ἐμὲ γνώμην εἰδὼς κελεύει γράφειν καὶ οὐκ ἐμέλλησα. σὸν τοίνυν ἂν εἴη τοὐμὸν ζηλῶσαι τάχος καὶ ποιῆσαι Μάλχῳ φαιδρότερον τὸν βίον.