Letter 3022: You possess such an abundance of eloquence that you earn pardon for your previous silence through the excellence of...

You possess such an abundance of eloquence that you earn pardon for your previous silence through the excellence of your present letter. For what part of your writing was lacking in wise invention, fresh ideas, or the charm of expression? You have proven that silence, when broken by such a letter, can itself become a kind of praise — for the result was worth the wait. I am grateful beyond words and beg you: do not return to your old habit of reticence. Let this letter be the beginning of a regular exchange, not a solitary miracle. Farewell.

^* Tantum tibi suppetit uber eloquii, ut prioris silentii veniam cum praesentis fa- onndiae laude merearis. quae enim pars litterarum tuarum vel inventionum prudentia c^ruit vel novitate sensuum vel antiquitate verborum? cum igitur tibi supellex larga non desit, innitere, quaeso te [ut non minus religione quam oratione probatus ha- l^earis], ut sicuti oratione mirabilis es, ita religione lauderis. faciet hoc crebritas epi- ^^ Btularum tuarum, quae non solum tibi parabit gratiam, verum etiam me faciet promp- tiorem. 'nem omiait 7 quae cauM PV^ quod M ne nt me quem V, ne me quem F 18 enim om. F 19 siquidem quod semper F 20 ut om. F liaMtu P 1 m. {DP), habiU V 21 uerum P 1 m. 22 uale add, VF tia P 1 m. 27 antlquitote (antiqui in raa.) P supplex P 1 m, 28 initere P J m., nitere F, annitere F ut — 29 habearis dtl. Juretus 29 laudaris P J m. faciet et P i m. V 78 SYMMACHI EPISTVLAE