Letter 6026: My dear Zenodorus doesn't yet know you in person, but your reputation has already won his admiration.

My dear Zenodorus doesn't yet know you in person, but your reputation has already won his admiration. Although official duties call him urgently to Lucania and Bruttium [regions in southern Italy], he's determined to make a detour just to see you. I introduce him into your friendship like a mystagogue [a guide into sacred mysteries -- Symmachus uses the word with playful formality] and personally guarantee he's worthy of your affection. If you put any stock in a father's testimony, let this young man find, at his very first visit, a warmth that you're known never to have denied any newcomer. Farewell.

Zenodorus filius meus nondum te consuetudine propiore cognovit sed fama con- ciliante iam suspicit. nam cum propere Lucanos ac Brittios petat honore cogente, nihilominus in conspectum tuum flexo itinere gestit excurrere. hunc in amicitiam i& tuam tamquam mystagogus induco atque in me recipio dignum esse, quem diligas. si quid igitur parentis testimonio tribuis, adultam mox apud te religionem primus ad- itus adventantis inveniat eamque continuo experiatur facilitatem pectoris tui, quam scit numquam delatam esse novitati. XXVI (XXVH) a. 396. 20