To Spectatus. (358 AD)
Do you remember those conversations in which I urged you to do right by Honoratus? And what of your own promises — do they count for nothing? You nodded readily enough at the time, out of reverence for the sacred person of Cyrinus and some regard for me, yet I see no result from what we heard.
I indict you on both counts: first, if you have simply forgotten, and second, if you remember perfectly well and yet neglect the matter. The one is the mark of someone who does not care; the other, of someone who insults.
But if you have not acted before, show yourself now as generous toward us as you are toward many others — though perhaps we deserve to be counted above the common crowd. We stand ready to give you whatever you wish to receive, and even if you decline the gift, you will find us mindful of the favor.
So let those matters be attended to — great in our eyes, though small in yours. You said as much to me yourself: that my requests were trifling and cost you no effort. But watch also that this present summons does no harm to us, for they say that everyone in Honoratus's position has been summoned there from all quarters, and clearly some penalty awaits anyone who fails to appear.
Now, whoever is able to comply and simply sits idle — let him be held in contempt and pay the penalty. But we needed to be free to go and were compelled to stay. You are not unaware of the young man's long illness: after wrestling with it all this time, he has only just arrived at some hope of recovery, and his diet is still restricted by doctors' orders.
Let Bassus learn these facts. Make this your defense on our behalf, and preserve the young man's standing — he who is absent only by necessity.
Do you remember those conversations in which I urged you to do right by Honoratus? And what of your own promises — do they count for nothing? You nodded readily enough at the time, out of reverence for the sacred person of Cyrinus and some regard for me, yet I see no result from what we heard.
I indict you on both counts: first, if you have simply forgotten, and second, if you remember perfectly well and yet neglect the matter. The one is the mark of someone who does not care; the other, of someone who insults.
But if you have not acted before, show yourself now as generous toward us as you are toward many others — though perhaps we deserve to be counted above the common crowd. We stand ready to give you whatever you wish to receive, and even if you decline the gift, you will find us mindful of the favor.
So let those matters be attended to — great in our eyes, though small in yours. You said as much to me yourself: that my requests were trifling and cost you no effort. But watch also that this present summons does no harm to us, for they say that everyone in Honoratus's position has been summoned there from all quarters, and clearly some penalty awaits anyone who fails to appear.
Now, whoever is able to comply and simply sits idle — let him be held in contempt and pay the penalty. But we needed to be free to go and were compelled to stay. You are not unaware of the young man's long illness: after wrestling with it all this time, he has only just arrived at some hope of recovery, and his diet is still restricted by doctors' orders.
Let Bassus learn these facts. Make this your defense on our behalf, and preserve the young man's standing — he who is absent only by necessity.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.