Letter 2005: My associate Johannes has stumbled into the inextricable labyrinth of a complicated lawsuit.

Sidonius to his friend Petronius. My associate Johannes has stumbled into the inextricable labyrinth of a complicated lawsuit. Until the merits of his documents have been examined either by your expertise — or by anyone with skill comparable to yours, if such a person exists — he does not know what to reject and what to pursue. The form of this two-sided case is so confusing that even his own position cannot determine which line of argument it will be attacking and which defending. On his behalf I make this earnest request: examine his papers, and if the law supports his case, instruct him — showing him what points to raise and what to refute. For we have no fear that the course of this case, if it flows from the fountain of your counsel, will be thinned by any diversion from the opposing side. Farewell.

EPISTULA V Sidonius Petronio suo salutem. 1. Iohannes familiaris meus inextricabilem labyrinthum negotii multiplicis incurrit et donec suarum merita chartarum vel vestra scientia vel si qua est vestrae (si tamen est ulla) similis inspexerit, quid respuat, quid optet ignorat. ita se quodammodo bipertitae litis forma confundit, ut propositio sua quem actionis ordinem propugnatura, quem sit impugnatura non noverit. 2. pro quo precem sedulam fundo, ut perspectis chartulis suis, si quid iure competit, instruatis, quae qualiterve sint obicienda, quae refellenda monstrantes. non enim verebimur, quod causae istius cursus, si de vestri manaverit fonte consilii, ulla contrastantum derivatione tenuetur. vale.