Letter 1109: Whatever generosity you showed to those who were present might seem merely the expected tribute of their attendance.

Whatever generosity you showed to those who were present might seem merely the expected tribute of their attendance. But we who missed your consulship due to various obligations — we've been honored by friendship, not rewarded for showing up. I therefore offer you abundant thanks for the consular gift, and even greater thanks for the kindness behind it. If your modesty didn't check my words, I'd go on at greater length. So for now, my speech on this matter will be brief — but my memory of it will be long. Farewell.

Qnidquid in praesentes muneris contulisti, officio eorum videtur esse delatum: nos, qui consulatui tuo varia occupatione defuimus, amicitiae honore adfecti sumus 15 non mercede praesentiae. ago igitur tibi pro oblatione consulari gratias uberes, sed pro bona mente maiores, et nisi verecundia tua verbis meis poneret modum, latius evagarer; atque ideo erit de hoc sermo interim parcus, memoria vero prolixior. Cnn (LXXXXVin) ante a. 381.