Letter 9017: You used to recommend young lawyers to my tribunal when I presided over the courts.

You used to be in the habit, in former times, when I presided over the courts, of commending the novices of the forum to the judges; that same office, with our positions now reversed, I have undertaken, in that I introduce candidates to your mastery of advocacy. In this matter you must of necessity follow my example, so that with the same readiness with which I frequently admitted those presented by you, you may with equal scrupulousness receive my men, brought forward on my recommendation. [XXX] I am fond of those who pursue letters, not because I have any kinship with such studies, but because the profession of the liberal arts, like a kind of beauty, delights even when placed in another's body. Deservedly, then, having come to know Valentinianus through a first meeting, I considered it my duty to attend him with a letter, so that my words might unlock for him the first door of access to you, and his own life and learning might win him a fuller friendship. Farewell. [XXXI] Scrupulous is the care that is shown to the children of friends, especially if a familiarity granted to the elders is increased by the merits of their descendants. The aforesaid opinion looks to the case at hand. For I held Lampadius, a most distinguished man, of account not only up to his burial, as is wont to be the fleeting and fragile affection of most men, but I embrace with a love extended also to those born of him and pressing on toward their paternal estate. These I hand over to you, to be defended from every injury. I beg that, if occasion should require it, you may carry out my part as a just arbiter. The obtaining of this favor will advance much to your praise and to my gratitude. [XXXII] We have lost many mutual exchanges of courtesies between us through delay in writing; I will not allow our common fault to be drawn out any longer. I therefore take upon myself the earlier portions of this scrupulous duty, and even if you put off returning words, I will not change my purpose. The interval before your reply will be a matter of your own deliberation, provided only that you remember that a swift returning of thanks displays the tokens of goodwill, a tardy one the tokens of necessity. I seem to myself to have said enough toward the renewing of our correspondence of letters; our exchange ought to bring some advantage to the man carrying my letters. For he is an intimate of mine and worthy of your patronage; if you regard him with a calm countenance, he will rejoice that his fortunes have grown. [XXXIII] Though you may keep silent and feign reluctance to answer my greeting, you will never move me from my scrupulous duty; I will eventually hammer it out of you, so that you give up this obstinacy. Meanwhile, my confidence in you not yet recovered, I undertake a bold task; for I am eager to commend to you the bearer of this writing, a young man of complete seriousness and long since approved by me through honorable proofs, and not untried, if I judge rightly, in your own estimation; for, secure in his life and his old military service, he has never shrunk from the scrutiny of his superiors. But grant that this man's good qualities have been perceived by you only moderately: it is not right, if you grant anything to our friendship, that after my testimony he should approach you as though a new friend. [XXXIV] I am in suspense of mind until the news of your good health arrives; for with your strength still weak you have added to it the labor of a long journey. Nor can I be content over this matter with the talk of travelers; since indeed greater affection adds doubtful elements to the false reports of rumor. I await, therefore, a letter whose trustworthiness may bring me sure assurance about you. If you yourself demand to know anything of my own affairs, you will learn it from the bearer of the letter. For he is most agreeable to us on account of the integrity of his life, and worthy by my testimony, one who is diligently employed among the household of your house. [XXXV] Antistianus, a man of our order, long ago became pleasing to me by the uprightness of his life and dear by his honorable services. That I assert this from truth rather than to gratify him, the nature of the present request shows. For, having long discharged the defense of his native land, he desires at last to attain the position of private repose, a thing that would make him commendable to you even if my own address did not intervene. For you are wont, in keeping with your virtue, to esteem those who are desirous of leisure and ignorant of self-promotion. Therefore, both asked and prevailed upon, deign to grant by my letters the longed-for rest to one who desires to be free. Nor will a successor be lacking to be substituted, since from so great a number of the leading men your choice can easily select a man equal in loyalty and industry. [XXXVI] My brother Nicias, who is to be reckoned among the foremost of philosophers, stirred in me a desire for your friendship, after he gave us notice by letter that you had betrothed your daughter to him by a faithful agreement. This matter is a testimony that you possess a sincere judgment, and that for this reason all good men ought of their own accord to seek your friendship. For such a choice asserts an approvable mind. Wherefore I apply the spur to your excellent intention, and I exhort you to obtain, as soon as possible and with the gods aiding, a most praiseworthy son-in-law; whose accession will both win you the goodwill of very many and add the distinction of the alliance. Farewell. [XXXVII] Account must indeed always be taken of justice, but in regard to noble and approvable persons there ought to be more moderation, so that judgment may be perceived in discrimination. I say this so as to commend my intervention by its general principle; the nature of the petition is, however, of this kind. The fields of my sister Italica, an illustrious woman, emptied of cultivation and worn down by the burden of public charges, must be restored by your judicial authority. This help I have promised from the equity of your spirit; for there is a sure presumption concerning the disposition of good men. Therefore make good my pledge, if I am dear to your heart, and whatever is suited to the property and affairs of the absent matron grant with a ready nod, to be charged to my gratitude, whatever favor you bestow upon her. Farewell. [XXXVIII] I ought not to keep silent while he, who is yours, is traveling; since indeed the connection that is to be between you persuades me that to each of you a like diligence should be shown by me. Wherefore I offer you the greeting of a letter and I exhort you to render the most devoted Titianus, and most friendly to me, as soon as possible master of the promised union. [XXXIX] The fruit of labor is to please one's betters and, in return for industry and integrity of spirit, to win the palm of judgment. Wherefore Benignus, a most distinguished man, my son, having carried out the business of the grain supply with a most watchful spirit and with clean hands, expects from you alone the reward of a just affection. The weakness of his body bears witness to his sleepless cares. For he brought back nothing from Sardinia except a good conscience and bad health, but he carried into the granaries only as much grain as the fortune of that province's year had bestowed upon it. No rumor against him, no complaint except from those always ready to find fault. The richest price of all these things is, if he be held worthy of your friendship. Which seems to me inclined toward being obtained; since indeed the uprightness of those whose selection has not deceived must necessarily delight you. [XL] It is a scrupulous question rather than an invidious one that demands the keeping of a betrothal agreement. I do not wish you therefore to think that it has been reported to me in a blameworthy manner, that you are holding in suspense, through hesitation, the marriage of your daughter, agreed upon with Herculius, my most friendly intimate; but he wished to bring me too to bear, along with the others whom he knows to have been either supporters or witnesses of the marriage agreed upon from you, so that, urged on by a new encourager, he might hasten the vows long held in suspense. Let there remain, therefore, I beg you, the stability of your promises, and let no change of will mar the senatorial good faith. Let my added petition on his behalf also benefit the agreed-upon compact, since you cannot refuse to him what was agreed without affront, when you ought to have offered it to us readily even unasked. Surely such is the man's modesty, such his dignity in the Roman forum, that as much grace as you bestow upon him, so much ornament you will obtain from a son-in-law. I would pursue at length his abundant praises and the honors of his life, if you seemed to be admitting some new person; but since his good qualities are known to you, and the condition long since accepted plainly establishes it, I ought not to prolong his proclamation, whom the pledge of the undertaken compact shows to you to be already approved. Farewell. [XLI] Dusarius, a professor of medicine, sent on ahead to Aquitania some of his belongings, in the hope [...] and because he had resolved to attach himself to your father, a man of holy memory and illustrious. Now, on the contrary, against the wish of all good men, bereft by the death of so great a man, he longs to retrace his journey to his own people, as his parent attests. Help, I beg you, the dutiful intention of the young man, and what you diligently promised to be rendered to him in accordance with the loyalty inborn in your character, order to be carried back the more swiftly, lest, above the wound of his lost hope, the injury of a long pilgrimage be added to him. [XLII] Your letter was conveyed to me while I was at leisure on the shores of Campania. I believe you have learned, by report or by reading, how great is the charm of this region: your letter overcame the pleasures set before me. Therefore, scorning all else that the attraction of the place offered, I devoted my whole mind to the perusing of your page even to the point of memorizing it. Would that you had dictated more! Yet to me what was often repeated was as good as much. After this, beware of producing too sparingly what is born from the abundance of your talent, lest your voluntary frugality recall me also, whose pen is poor, into narrow straits. As for what remains, we hand over Aurelius to your charge anew, not because the former commendation was ineffective, but so that this repetition too may bear witness to his merit and to our care. Farewell. [XLIII] Whoever asks letters of us for the commendation of himself bestows a favor, rather than receives one. For the cultivation of friendship is older with me than is the obtaining of protection with them. Repay, therefore, the wages of this man's service on my behalf to the one delivering my writing, and reward the man in keeping with the modesty of his fortune. It is within your right whether you also deem me worthy of the honor of your service; for I do not practice the lending of words at interest, so as to press you about repayment. For it is a grave thing [...]

Solebas antehac, cnm tribunalibus praesiderem, fori tirones commendare iudiciis; quod nunc officium versa condicione suscepi, qui magisterio tuo causidicinae insinuo candidatos. qua in re meum necesse est sequaris exemplum, ut qua facilitate ob- latos a te frequenter admisi, eadem religione suscipias meos me adsertore productos. 25 xxxm (XXX). Adsectatores diligo litterarum, non quod mihi cum talibus studiis sit ulla cogna- F tio, sed quia professio bonarum artium quasi pulchritudo, etiam in alieno corpore lo- cata delectat. merito Valentinianum congressu mihi primore conpertum litteris pro- sequi officium meum duxi, ut ei apud te primam ianuam meus sermo reseraret, sua 30 vita atque eruditio conciliaret amicitiam pleniorem. vale. xxxnn (XXXI) . Religiosa cura est, quae amicorum liberis exhibetur, praesertim si familiaritas 17 delata maioribus cumuletur meritis posteriorum. in rem praesentem spectat praefata 1 ideo] Wingendorp, adeo {II) 7 deferendam] Stue, defendendam {II) 11 tales «duocationis enores plerumque repressisti] egOy talis aduocationis errorls plerumque resisti F, talis aduooationis errori restitisti {II) 13 nooenti] 8use, innoceuti {II) 17 parum cauto rogatus] F, paras mea ut arrogatus // 23 sequeris (//) in alieno] {F), in alieno etiam Fi, in alieno esset F^ 28 delectati F^ Valentinianum congre^su] //, ualentini congressum F primore compertum 11, primo repertum F 24G SYMMACHI EPISTVLAE n sententia. nam Lampaefium c. m. v. non nBqne ad sepulturam tantum pensi habni, nt solet esse mnltorum cadnca et fragilis adfectio, sed ex eo genitos et in bona pa- tema nitentes propagato amore conplec/or. hos tibi trado ab omni iniuria vindicandos. quaeso, ut vicem meam, si usus tulerit, iustus arbiter exequaris. multum huius bene- ficii impetratio in tuam laudem, in meam gratiam promovebit. 5 XXXV (xxxn). F Multas inter nos officiorum yices scribendi cunctatione perdidimus; non sinam produci longius commune delictum. adsumo igitur mihi religiosi muneris partes prio- res, et si referre verba distuleris, non mutabo propositum. tuae deliberationis erit intercapedo rescripti, modo ut memineris, adceleratum gratiae recursum voluntatis 10 signa praeferre, serum necessitatis. satis mihi videor instaurandis commerdis littera- rum locutus; aliquid sermo noster portanti litteras meas utilitatis debet adferre. est enim mihi familiaris dignusque patrocinio tuo ; quem si placido ore respexeris , for- tunas suas creyisse gaudebit. XXXVI (xxxm). 15 Taceas licet et salutationi respondere dissimules: numquam me a religioso officio demovebis; excudam quandoque, ut hac obstinatione decedas. interea nondum recu- perata fiducia tui audax munus ingredior; commendare enim tibi huius scripti studeo vectorem, iuvenem gravitatis exactae mihique dudum probatum per honesta documenta nec inexpertum, si recte aestimo, iudicio tuo; quia securus vitae et militiae vetus 20 numquam refngit examen superiorum. sed fac mediocriter a te bona homint^ esse perspecta, fas non est, si quid tribuis amicitiae nostrae, ut post testimonium meum tamquam novus andcus tibi accedat. xxxvn (xxxnn) . n Pendeo animo usque ad vale^c{fnis tuae nuntium ; nam infirmis adhuc viribus 25 tuis laborem longi itineris addidisti. nec possum super hoc commeantium sermonibus esse contentus; siquidem maior adfectio falsis accen^et dubia rumorum. expecto igi- tur litteras, quarum fides adportet mihi de te certam securitatem. si quid ipse meo- rum actuum scire postulas, ab epistulae perlatore cognosces. est enim nobis con- ciliatissimus ob vitae integritatem dignusque me teste , qui sedulo domus tuae culto- 30 ribus imeratur. 1 Lampadium] Lecthu, lampium (/7) asque ad sepuUuram tantum pensl] egoy usque ad saepem si Ff usque adpensi II 3 conpiector] luretuSj contemplor (77/^ stularum {1) 12 aliquid sermo — 13 tuo quem] 27, denique probum familiarem tuoque patrocinio dig- num F 14 creuisse] 77, om. F uale add, F extundam F ut ab hac obtinerotie (s add, supra t 2 m.) discedas F^ mimdum (77) 18 in- gredior] 77, ingrediar F studeo] (7^F, om, 77 21 examen superiorum] 77, Umen superiorem FF mediocritate F^ bona bominis esse perspecta] Lypshu, bona hominem esse perspecta F^, bona hominum esse perspecta F^, bominem esse perspectum (7^ 22 quid] quem F^ 23 uale add, F 25 pendo (77) ualedunls 77 27 accenset] ego, accepit (77), pro falsis accepit Modhu exopto (T^ 29 cognosces] Iuretu$y recognosces (77) 31 inseratur] luretua^ inferatur (77) xxxvni (XXXV). Antistianus vir ordinis nostri olim mihi probitate vitae conplacitus est et honestis /7 carus officiis. quod me ex vero potius quam in gratiam eias adserere, qualitas prae- sentis desiderii ostendit. nam diu patriae snae functus defensionem desiderat tandem 5 poiiiim privatae quietis adipisci , quae res tibi commendabilem facere etiamsi meus non interveniret adfatus. soles enim pro tua virtute diligere cupidos otii et nescios ambiendi. oratus igitur atque exoratus litteris meis dignare concedere optatam requiem vacare cupienti. nec deerit subrogandus, cum facile ex tot optima- tum numero parem fide atque industria virum tua edecumare possit e/ectio. 10 XXXVIin (XXXVI). Desiderium mihi amicitiae tuae frater meus Nicias cum primis philosophorum nu- F merandus incussit , postquam nobis per epistulam fecit indicium , quod ei filiam tuam fida pactione desponderis. quae res testimonio est, sincerum tibi inesse iudiciura et propterea familiaritatem tui ultro omnes bonos debere sectari. adserit enim proba- 15 bilem mentem talis electio. quare optimae voluntati tuae calcar admoveo teque hor- tor, ut quamprimum laudatissimum generum diis iuvantibus sortiaris; cuius accessio tibi et conciliabit gratiam plurimorum et decus adfinitatis adiciet. vale. XXXX (XXXVII). Ratio quidem semper habenda iustitiae est, sed circa nobiles probabilesque per- 20 sonas plus debet esse moderaminis, ut perspiciatur in discretione iudicium. hoc eo proloquor, ut interventum meum generalitate commendem; genus autem petitionis huiusmodi est. agri sororis meae Italicae inlustris feminae culturae vacuati et fessi onere munerum publicorum iudiciaria auctoritate refovendi sunt. hanc ego opem de tui animi aequitate promisi; certa est enim de bonorum mente praesumptio. spon- 25 sioni igitur meae, si tibi cordi sum, fidem praesta, et quidquid rebus atque rationibas matronae absentis adcommodum est, nutu facili tribue meae inputaturus gratiae, quid- quid illi favoris inpenderis. vale. 4 defensione [1) 5 facere etlamsi /7, suppU: deberet vd ainUU quid 7 atqoe exora- toa] Py om, (II) 9 tua edecnmare possit eiectio F^ tu edecnmare possis (II) cias] F», -N» F^, om, F^ 12 incussit] /ZF», incutit F«.2 postquam] quandoqnidem F» tuam] meam F3 13 inesse tibi F^ 14 familiarlUtes F^ altra Fi probabUem] pro paginae F^ uale om. F^ dum insticie est F^, iusticiae sero babenda est Fi 20 prospiciatur F^ baec ergo F^, nunc eo F^ uacuati] II, euacuati Fi.2^ euacuari F3 et fessi] 7T, oppressi F 23 ego] (77), ergo Fi, igitur F«, igitur queso F3 24 certe F» est om. F« 25 concordi 77 praesta fldem F^ et om. F« rebus om. F* 26 mat^ne F3 27 uale om, F3 248 SYMMACHl EPISTVLAE xxxxi (xxxvin) . /7 Silere non debui eo eommeante, qni tnns est. siqnidem nefiMsitndo inter vos futura persnadet, ut utrique yestmm similis a me diligentia deferatnr. qnare saln- tationem litterarum tibi defero et hortor, ut vimm devotissimnm Titiannm mihiqne amicissimum proraissae coniunctionis quamprimum conpotem praestes. 5 XXXXII (XXXVIIII). F Fructus laboris est placere melioribns et pro industria atque animi integritate pal- mam iudicii promereri. quapropter Benignus v. c. filius meus rei frnmentariae nego- tium pervigili animo et pnris manibus executus solam de te mercedem insti amoris expectat. testatur insomnes curas eius inbecillitas corporis. nihil enim de Sardinia 10 reportavit nisi bonam conscientiam et malam valetndinem, horreis antem tantnm fm- 2 gis invexit, qnantum illi provinciae anni fortnna contulerat. nnllns de eo mmor ad- versus, nulla conquestio nisi semper ad argnendum paratae. hornm omninm locnple- tissimum pretinm est, si amicitia tua dignns habeatur. qnod mihi declive ad impe- trationem videtnr; siqnidem necesse est te delectet eornm probitas, qnornm non 15 fefellit electio. XXXXIII (XXXX). Religiosa potius qnam invidiosa quaestio est, qnae fidem pactarnm repetit nnp- tiamm. nolo igitnr existimes, cnlpabiliter ad me esse perlatum, qnod pactas filiae tnae nuptias cum Herculio amicissimo meo haesitatione suspendas; sed ceteris, qnos 20 matrimonii de te impetrati vel adintores scit fuisse vel testes, me qnoqne volnit ad- 2 movere, ut snspensa diu vota novi hortatoris inpnlsus acceleret. maneat igitnr, oro te, stabilitas promissornm nec senatoriam fidem volnntatis mutatio devenustet. prosit etiam pacto foederi meae pro illo petitionis adiectio, cui non sine contnmelia placita denegabis, cum prompte nobis deferre etiam intemptata debneris. certe ea viri mo- 25 destia, ea in foro Romano dignitas est, nt quantnm ei gratiae tribuisti, tantnm oraa- 3 menti ex genero conseqnaris. nberes laudes eins et vitae honestamenta proseqnerer, 3 simUis] (r), om, (77) 4 tidanum (77) propter] /7, quare F2.3, qua te F» u. c. flUus] IIF^, ut confllius F», confllius F3 negotia F» dinio Fi, sardino F^, sardonia F^ 12 de ea (T^ 13 nuUa conquestio nisi] F, nuUae conque- stiones F, nuUa oonquaestio {om, nisi) /7 paratae] FF, parata JI 14 inihi] hoe loeo habeni TIF, po8t impetrationem eoU, F^»^, poit decliue F^ declunae F^ impetrationem] IirF^»\ impetran- dum F< 15 siquidem necesse est] FF^*^, si quid necesse est F^, om. II te] r*, ut te F, cum te 77 16 uale add. FI.2 igitur] 77, om, F 23 nec] sed F^ mutatio uoluntatis F^ uoluntatis om, F^ prosit] LypsiuSy et prosit F 24 etiam pacto foederi] Fi, in pacto fldei F2.3 meae] (77)F«.3, mea F« cui non om. F3 placida F^ 1 m, 25 deferre] 77, deferta F2.3^ deserU F> etiam] et F* intemptamenta F^ decreueris F3 certa F^ 26 Romano] ratiocinatio F3 ut] in F^ ex genere omamenti F^ 27 genero] Lypsius^ genere F si ta noYum aliquem videreris admittere; at cum tibi eius bona esse conperta, eyi- F denter adstruat dudum recepta condicio, non debeo eius protelare praeconium, quem tibi suscepti foederis pignus indicat iam probatum. vale. xxxxnn (xxxxi). 5 Dtisarius medicinae professor virwm sanctae memoriae atque inlustris patrem tuum H spe et quia ei cohaerere decreverat, rerum suarum in Aquita- nicam nonnulla praemisit. ntvnc contra bonorum omnium votum tanti viri obitu de- stitutus, relegere ad suos iter, ut parens adtestatur eius, exoptat. iuva, quaeso te, piam iuvenis voluntatem, et quae ei pro insita moribus tuis fidelitate reddenda se- 10 dulo spo/)ondisti, iube ocius reportari, ne illi supra vulnus amissae spei iniuria longae peregrinationis addatur. xxxxv (xxxxn). Pervectae sunt ad me litterae tuae, cum in Campanis litoribus otiarer. credo te F fando aut lectione didicisse, quanta sit huius regionis venustas: vicit epistula tua 15 adpositas voluptates. spretis igitur ceteris, quae ingerebat loci gratia, totum animum recensendae paginae usque ad memoriam mancipavi. utinam plura dictasses! mifai tamen saepe repetita instar multorum fuerunt. posthac cave parcius promas, qnod ex abundantia ingenii tui nascitur, ne me quoque. cui stilus pauper est, in artum revocet voluntaria frugalitas tua. quod restat, Aurelium tibi denuo iu manum tradi- 20 mus, non quo inefficax fuerit prior commendatio, sed ut meritum eius nostramque curam testetur etiam iteratio. vale. XXXXVI (XXXXIII) . Quisquis a nobis in commendationem sui litteras petit; praestat gratiam, accipere. antiquior est enim mihi amicitiae cultus, quam illis praesidii impetratio. 25 repende igitur huius pro me operae mercedem scripta reddenti et pro mediocritate fortunae hominem munerare. in tuo iure est, an etiam me tui officii honore digneris; indactam coprobauit n nale om, F^ 5 Dusarins] MomvMen, disarius (JI) nimm] Seioppius, uir {II)r tunm Bpe ««»«««««««««♦ et] r, tuum *»«««««««««««« et {II) 7 nunc] Oruter, nec {II) 8 optat {F) 10 spondisti {II) lectione F^, credo antem te faudo lectioueque F^, credo autem fando leotione F^ 14 regionis] F^, re- ligioniB Fi*.2 aetusUs F^ 15 spretis — 16 mancipani om, F^ ceteris] F^, litteris Fi quae] H, om, F 16 nsque ad memoriam (meriam F) mancipaui] Ur, om. F 17 saepe repetita] r, saepe petita U, sero petita Fi*3, sero potita F^ mnltarnm F^ posthaec {II) 18 tui om, F^ nascatnr F3 ne] Lypsiw; om. F cui] tui F2 1 m. 19 fragilitas F3 manus F3 gratiam, quam se putat accipere Seioppius 24 enim mihi est F8 milii om. F^ iUius F^, ullis F3 interpretatlo F* 25 responde F8 buius om. F8 pro me] {11), promptae F pro mediocritate] {II), pro medioritate F3, pro om. F^*^ 26 an etiam me tui offlcii] F*, an ^ (i. e. esse) me tni offlcii F^, ut etiam me tui offlcii F8, me etiam mutui offlcii luretus Q. AVBBLIYS STMMAOHVB. 32 250 SYMMACHI EPISTVLAE F neque enim verborum fenus exerceo, ut te de solutione conveniam. grave enim est