To Palladius. (361 AD)
The boy came in the late morning bringing the books, just when I was about to deliver a speech the next day and the dinner guests had already been invited. It seemed a good omen that speeches had arrived from a man who produces speeches, just as I was about to display speeches. A better hope now possesses me — though god knows the future.
When I come away from the contest, I shall take up both Aristides' works and yours and judge the wrestling matches. Though the copy containing Aristides is so decayed by time that even the opening seems — well, it is a matter of having without having. One syllable is visible, the next you search for and cannot see. Thinking I had found the Thersites, I still have not finished searching for the Thersites.
As for Hadrian, he has not escaped you — he lies in your hand. He stayed behind so that I would always need something from you and you would always have something to bestow. Though this is not quite right as a witticism: "much is in Antimachus's house" [a proverb for inexhaustible wealth], and even if you send something every day, what has been given will never outweigh what has not.
As for your speech, I shall cast an honest vote — and that while judging without an oath.
The boy came in the late morning bringing the books, just when I was about to deliver a speech the next day and the dinner guests had already been invited. It seemed a good omen that speeches had arrived from a man who produces speeches, just as I was about to display speeches. A better hope now possesses me — though god knows the future.
When I come away from the contest, I shall take up both Aristides' works and yours and judge the wrestling matches. Though the copy containing Aristides is so decayed by time that even the opening seems — well, it is a matter of having without having. One syllable is visible, the next you search for and cannot see. Thinking I had found the Thersites, I still have not finished searching for the Thersites.
As for Hadrian, he has not escaped you — he lies in your hand. He stayed behind so that I would always need something from you and you would always have something to bestow. Though this is not quite right as a witticism: "much is in Antimachus's house" [a proverb for inexhaustible wealth], and even if you send something every day, what has been given will never outweigh what has not.
As for your speech, I shall cast an honest vote — and that while judging without an oath.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.