Letter 50

To the same person. (359) I am a witness to Marcianus's misfortunes. Having traveled safely through most of the world, he was injured in the leg right at the gates of his own city, so badly that some doctors gave up and fled, while those who dared to touch it still cannot speak with confidence. What pains him more than the injury itself is being bedridden while you are calling for him -- for any labor done in your service is sweeter to Marcianus than any sleep. You doubt that this has really happened to him, and understandably so: what you did not wish to occur, you assume did not. But rest assured, the man is in serious trouble right now. He will barely recover the use of his leg.

**To the Same** (359) My son is your witness to the misfortunes of Marcianus — who, having traversed the greater part of the world in safety, was crippled in his leg at the very gates of his own city. The result was that some of the physicians gave up hope and fled, while those who dared to lay hands on him could not yet speak with confidence. But what pains him more than the injury itself is lying bedridden while you are summoning him — for every toil undertaken in your service is sweeter to Marcianus than any sleep. You, however, refuse to believe he has truly suffered this, and understandably so: what you did not wish to happen, you suppose has not happened. But know well that the man is now in the greatest distress, and will only with difficulty walk soundly again.

τῷ αὐτῶ. (359) ὑῶ σοι μάρτυς τῶν Μαρκιανοῦ κακῶν. ὃς τὸ πολὺ τῆς γῆς σῶς ἐπελθὼν έν προθύροις τῆς αὑτοῦ πόλεως ἐπη- ρώθη τὸ σκέλος, ὥστε τῶν ἰατρῶν τοὺς μὲν ἀπογνόντας φυ- χεῖν, τοὺς δὲ τολμήσαντας ἅψασθαι μήπω θαρρεῖν ἔχειν. ἔστι δὲ αὐτῷ τῆς συμφορᾶς ἀλγεινότερον τὸ κεῖσθαι σοῦ κα- λοῦντος· ὡς ἅπας γε πόνος σοὶ φέρων χάριν ἡδίων Μαρκιανῷ παντὸς ὕπνου. σὺ δ’ ἀπιστεῖς αὐτὸν μὴ ταῦτα παθεῖν εἰκότως. ὃ γὰρ οὐκ ἐβούλου συμβῆναι τοῦτ’ οἴει μὴ γεγο- νέναι. ἀλλ’ εὖ ἴσθι τὸν ἄνδρα νῦν μὲν ὡς μάλιστα πιέζεσθαι. μόλις δὲ ἀρτίπουν ἔσεσθαι.