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| To the Governor of Neocæsarea.
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Letter
LXIII.2228
| 2228 Of about the
same date as the preceding. |
To the Governor of Neocæsarea.
The wise man, even if he
dwells far away, even if I never set eyes on him, I count a
friend. So says the tragedian Euripides. And so, if, though
I have never had the pleasure of meeting your excellency in person, I
speak of myself as a familiar friend, pray do not set this down to mere
empty compliment. Common report, which loudly proclaims your
universal benevolence, is, in this instance, the promoter of
friendship. Indeed since I met the highly respectable
Elpidius,2229
| 2229 Another
reading is Helladius. cf. Letters lxiv., lxxvii., and
lxxviii. The identification of these Elpidii is
conjectural. The name was common. | I have known you as
well, and I have been as completely captured by you, as though I had
long lived with you and had practical experience of your excellent
qualities. For he did not cease telling me about you, mentioning
one by one your magnanimity, your exalted sentiments, your mild
manners, your skill in business, intelligence, dignity tempered by
cheerfulness, and eloquence. All the other points that he
enumerated in his long conversation with me it is impossible for me to
write to you, without extending my letter beyond all reasonable
bounds. How can I fail to love such a man? How could I put
such restraint upon myself as not loudly to proclaim what I feel?
Accept then, most excellent Sir, the greeting which I send you, for it
is inspired by true and unfeigned friendship. I abhor all servile
compliment. Pray keep me enrolled in the list of your friends,
and, by frequently writing to me, bring yourself before me and comfort
me in your absence.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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