To Clearchus. (359)
It is no burden for me to keep writing and pleading about the same matter, but it may not sit well with you to keep hearing about it. For the fact that we still need your -- to put it politely -- enthusiasm is proof that nothing has been done.
Where, then, shall we find relief from Severus's abuses? From the claim that Clearchus has lost his power? On the contrary, your power has only grown, thanks to Fortune doing what is right. From the excuse that you are blocked by a crush of business? Where is there such a volume that you could not handle with ease?
And what about this: did you not do enormous good when you first began to intervene? The benefits are beyond reckoning. Why, then, does he not confirm the proverb that says, "I will begin with good and end with better"? Instead, the start was brilliant, but as things went on, he gave Severus the boldness to act, and what seemed like the end gave birth to a new round of trouble.
So, since Cleobulus is being wronged and you are being disrespected, take vengeance for both. And the greatest punishment for Severus would be to find himself unable to seize another man's property.
**To Clearchus** (359 AD)
For us it is no trouble either to write or to make requests about the same matters, but it can hardly be pleasant for you to keep hearing about the same things — for the fact that our need for your, shall I say, *goodwill* persists is itself a reproach.
Where, then, are we to find relief from the outrages Severus commits? From the notion that Clearchus has been stripped of his power? On the contrary, his power has grown, since Fortune is doing what is right. Well then, is he hindered by a press of business? And where is there such a mass of affairs that he could not handle with the greatest ease?
And what of this — did he not render the greatest service when he first began to defend us? One cannot even express how great it was. Why, then, does he not make good the proverb that says: *"I shall begin from good, and end at something better"*? Instead, his start from the gate was brilliant, but as things progressed he gave Severus license to grow bold, and what seemed then to be the end of the affair gave birth to fresh troubles.
Since Cleobulus is being wronged and you are being treated with contempt, exact justice on behalf of both. And the greatest justice for Severus would be his finding himself unable to seize what belongs to others.
It is no burden for me to keep writing and pleading about the same matter, but it may not sit well with you to keep hearing about it. For the fact that we still need your -- to put it politely -- enthusiasm is proof that nothing has been done.
Where, then, shall we find relief from Severus's abuses? From the claim that Clearchus has lost his power? On the contrary, your power has only grown, thanks to Fortune doing what is right. From the excuse that you are blocked by a crush of business? Where is there such a volume that you could not handle with ease?
And what about this: did you not do enormous good when you first began to intervene? The benefits are beyond reckoning. Why, then, does he not confirm the proverb that says, "I will begin with good and end with better"? Instead, the start was brilliant, but as things went on, he gave Severus the boldness to act, and what seemed like the end gave birth to a new round of trouble.
So, since Cleobulus is being wronged and you are being disrespected, take vengeance for both. And the greatest punishment for Severus would be to find himself unable to seize another man's property.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.