To Fortunatianus. (361 AD)
"Now let Earth know this, and the broad sky above" — and I will add, if you like, the Styx and all the other gods — that that letter of mine arrived at the proper time and nothing was done by design.
It is perhaps not right for you to spare your household servants at the expense of your friends, and in order to clear them of blame, to fasten accusations upon us.
But we will settle this matter shortly, with Celsus casting the deciding vote. As for the Bacchanalia, know that your absence has largely dulled our enjoyment. There is no one to whom I can speak from the heart — I must either keep silent or, having spoken, regret it and reproach my tongue for blurting out what was better left unsaid. I imagine the same situation surrounds you too: silence or fear.
So that we may enjoy your company and you ours, and each of us through the other may enjoy freedom — open the doors by showing your face.
"Now let Earth know this, and the broad sky above" — and I will add, if you like, the Styx and all the other gods — that that letter of mine arrived at the proper time and nothing was done by design.
It is perhaps not right for you to spare your household servants at the expense of your friends, and in order to clear them of blame, to fasten accusations upon us.
But we will settle this matter shortly, with Celsus casting the deciding vote. As for the Bacchanalia, know that your absence has largely dulled our enjoyment. There is no one to whom I can speak from the heart — I must either keep silent or, having spoken, regret it and reproach my tongue for blurting out what was better left unsaid. I imagine the same situation surrounds you too: silence or fear.
So that we may enjoy your company and you ours, and each of us through the other may enjoy freedom — open the doors by showing your face.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.