Letter 2023: I had thought that my many admonitions and encouragements had added some measure of endurance to your spirit.

I was supposing that, after so many admonitions and exhortations of mine, some measure of endurance had been added to your spirit; but in fact you even disturb the bonds of kinship that we hold in reverence with your complaint about your sojourn abroad. Yet what does that confession of yours accomplish? Those who have your return as their heart's wish cannot bear your impatience. For they see that a hasty departure, under the eyes of certain envious fellow citizens, will win no praise. Rather, take up steadfastness, and weigh what is more becoming than what is pleasing, especially since you yourself admit that, in the love of our lord Theodosius, the venerable emperor, you have found the goodwill of all your dearest pledges of affection.

Pntabam tot monitis atque exhortationibus meis aliquid animo tuo accessisse 25 tolerantiae, at enimvero etiam reverendas necessitudines nostras peregrinationis con- questione sollicitas. sed quid promovet ista confessio? non ferunt inpatientiam tuam, quibus reditus in voto est. vident enim sub quibusdam aemulis civibus excessum celerem nihil laudis habiturum. quin adsume constantiam, et quid deceat magis, quam quid libeat, expende, praecipue cum ipse fatearis, in amore domini nostri 30 Tbeodosii venerabilis principis omnium te carissimorum pignerum gratiam repperisse. r li 1 aefltimatus V 2 cconcordia V h om.VM 9 reddiderit VMiDP) , 11 om, VF 12 reparationem««*»*»4(«ianidiu P, reparassem iamdin VF^ sperassem iamdiu F nel uia V 16 urgueri P adseueras magnis praemiis F, magnis asseueras praemiis F ad] Py fum V, cum ad F 17 sufflciat F 18 sotio P l m, 20 tua unndieas V ) etiam «euerendas P 1 m. conquestiones V 26 fuerunt V, fugerunt M 21 ualent P snb] scHiret Lattniu» qnibus aemulis P 1 m. excessu incelerem P 29 factoris V{iy>), fe- ceris M 30 te om. V uale add. VM I Q. AtKBLIVS STMMACHT8. 7 50 SYMMACHI EPISTVLAE XXnn a. 383.