Letter 623: We have never met, yet from what we hear of each other we may reasonably trust one another.

To Faustillianus. (361) We have not yet met one another, but nevertheless, from what we hear about each other, we might reasonably feel confidence in one another. And I offer as a token of my affection for you this very thing of asking a favor; and you, if in addition to granting the favor you should also lay some command upon me, will have given two favors. This man I began to treat kindly long ago, having heard fine words on his behalf from the excellent Gaudentius. Now, then, I asked him what I might do to help him most, and he said: if I should make you his helper. So I am sending this letter to bring about the alliance, and I trust that it will be able to do so.

Φαυστιλλιανῷ. (361) Οὔπω συγγεγόναμεν ἀλλήλοις, ἀλλ’ ὅμως ἐξ ὧν ἀκούο- μεν περὶ ἀλλήλων εἰκότως ἂν θαρροίημεν ἀλλήλοις. ἐγὼ δὲ τοῦ φιλεῖν σε σημεῖον ἐκφέρω τὸ καὶ χάριν αἰτεῖν· σὺ δ’, εἰ πρὸς τῷ δοῦναι τὴν χάριν καὶ ἐπιτάξαις, δύ’ ἔσῃ χάριτας δε- δωκώς. τὸν ἄνθρωπον τοῦτον εὖ ποιεῖν ἠρξάμην πάλαι λόγους ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ καλοὺς ἀκούσας παρὰ Γαυδεντίου τοῦ κα- λοῦ. νῦν οὖν αὐτὸν ἠρόμην, τί ποιῶν μάλιστ’ ἂν αὐτῷ βοη- θοίην, ὁ δ’ ἔφησεν· εἰ σὲ βοηθὸν αὐτῷ ποιοίην. πέμπω δὴ τὴν ἐπιστολὴν πράξουσαν τὴν συμμαχίαν καὶ πιστεύω δυ- νήσεσθαι.