Letter 7: I'm embarrassed to be asking you a favor when I've never done you any kindness, and don't expect I ever will.

LibaniusMartinianus|c. 392 AD|Libanius
education booksillnessimperial politics

**To Martinianus** (392?)

I am ashamed to ask a favor of you when I have never yet done you any kindness, nor expect that I shall. Nevertheless, since my concern is for a young man, I am compelled to ask, and you must forgive me.

I beg you, then, to grant us some word concerning Romanus, whose welfare weighs on me. This could come about through your goodwill, and if he should enjoy it, he will gain as much from your favor as one who has spent long years in advocacy gains from time. And there is a second favor: if, intending to grant the first, you would write to say that you will.

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