To Eutochius.
Letoius is a friend of mine because he is a good man and better than the station in life he occupies. He lives as a soldier, but in his mind he belongs with those devoted to literature.
He came to see me and told me he was about to travel your way, and urged me to write to Eutochius. Now, I was not going to ask who this Eutochius is -- you have filled the world with talk about yourself. But writing to someone I had never met made me hesitate; I was afraid I would come across as one of those people who impose on strangers.
Letoius, however, insisted and refused to give up, promising that this letter would bring pleasure to you and your friendship to me. The first part I have obeyed. The second I can only pray for.
Letoius is a friend of mine because he is a good man and better than the station in life he occupies. He lives as a soldier, but in his mind he belongs with those devoted to literature.
He came to see me and told me he was about to travel your way, and urged me to write to Eutochius. Now, I was not going to ask who this Eutochius is -- you have filled the world with talk about yourself. But writing to someone I had never met made me hesitate; I was afraid I would come across as one of those people who impose on strangers.
Letoius, however, insisted and refused to give up, promising that this letter would bring pleasure to you and your friendship to me. The first part I have obeyed. The second I can only pray for.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.