Letter 1044: I know this letter will reach you late — either because of the duties that will keep you busy for a while, or...

I know indeed that my letter will reach you late, either because of the engagements that will hold you for some while under arms, or because my brother Gorgonius, an admirer of your virtues, will indulge in prolonged repose among the Picentes. Yet however that condition stands, I did not think the duty should be neglected. It may chance, perhaps, that this writing will come into your hands in good time. I, however, so far as it will be allowed through travelers, will not be sparing of effort for this service. Farewell.

Scio quidem litteras meas tibi sero reddendas vel propter occapationes , quae te in procinctu aliquantisper tenebunt, vel quod frater meus Gorgonius admirator virtu- & tnm tuarum diutinae apud Picentes indulgebit quieti. utut est tamen ista condicio, snpersedendum officio non putavi. fors fuat, an haec mature in manus tuas scripta sint ventura. ego tamen quantum per commeantes licebit, istius muneri» operam non reparcam. vale. XXXX (XXXIin) a. 370—379. «0 SYMMACHVS AVSONIO. Non novum aut incoguitum sed conpertum iam fide et sedulitate militiae sanctum Victorem amicum meum promptus commendator insinuo, quem ad hoc aevi nulla actuum culpa fuscavit; sed fortunae licentia, quae interdum optimos decolorat, spes eius pau- lisper infregerat. quae in integrum saeculi beatitudo restituet, si innocentiam suppli- '* cis secundo favpre respexeris. vale. XXXXI (XXXV) post a. 369.