Letter 242
To Florentius. (360)
I think I am about to do something like those people who are so eager to see a friend returning after a long absence that they shout their greeting from the bottom of the stairs before they have even caught sight of the person they are welcoming. They cry out, unable to wait, because their desire is so great -- and I, while you are still just short of our borders, am declaring my joy in a letter.
As for my cousin, I am fond of him, but I am close to being jealous -- because he has already enjoyed your company, while I can only look forward to it. Still, if he receives even greater attention from you, I will not be jealous in that way. I would wish for him the favor of Athena toward Diomedes [in Homer, Athena gave Diomedes extraordinary prowess] -- so that he may be kept safe and may prevail for our sake.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
Related Letters
1. Your letter, dear friend, finds me dwelling in that quarter of the desert which is nearest to Syria and the Saracens. And the reading of it rekindles in my mind so keen a desire to set out for Jerusalem that I am almost ready to violate my monastic vow in order to gratify my affection.