Letter 5074: Returned to Rome after completing my embassy, I found your letters waiting -- letters in which you commend your...

Having returned to Rome after the duty of my embassy, I took up your letter, in which you promise to our common homeland generous supplies of grain provisions. And so, affected with a twofold joy, I exult both as a citizen at the public security and, as it were, as a brother at the glory of your deed; and I spur you on to this zealous endeavor by a conscientious exhortation, although a good will, which comes from natural disposition, need not be driven on by spurs. By reading your discourse I have lightened the concern I felt for our fellow citizens; for so praiseworthy and sure a promise ought not to have been passed over in silence. It remains that a better outcome may favor the purpose of your dutiful devotion, and that for the future a fitting distinction may answer to so great a labor on behalf of the homeland. Farewell. 95 (93), in the year 402.

Romam regressus post legationis officium sumpsi litteras tuas^ quibus patriae com- muni largas rei annonariae copias polliceris. itaque gemino adfectus gaudio et quasi civis publica securitate et facti tui gloria quasi frater exulto, teque ad hoc studium i& religiosa exhortatione destimulo, licet bona voluntas, quae ex ingenio venit, non sit agitanda calcaribus. ego lectione sermonis tui civium nostrorum curam levavi; neque enim sileri debuit tam laudabilis et certa promissio. superest, ut proposito religionis tuae melior adspiret eventus et tibi in posterum conpetens decus pro tanto in patriam labore respondeat. vale. 20 LXXXXV (LXXXXIII) a. 402.