To Alexander. (362)
You should have had a better judgment when a friend was approaching, and you would now be among those enjoying the present opportunity. But since a groundless fear knocked you out of your senses, we must be grateful to the gods that our punishment has taken the form of gaining something.
But we would have no reason to thank you, for whom something proved more precious than wife and children. Delighting in your building projects, the sea, and a luxurious city, you stay away from better things, as though it were defense enough to send us gold. But we would rather give it to you and see you in person than receive it from you in your absence.
You should have had a better judgment when a friend was approaching, and you would now be among those enjoying the present opportunity. But since a groundless fear knocked you out of your senses, we must be grateful to the gods that our punishment has taken the form of gaining something.
But we would have no reason to thank you, for whom something proved more precious than wife and children. Delighting in your building projects, the sea, and a luxurious city, you stay away from better things, as though it were defense enough to send us gold. But we would rather give it to you and see you in person than receive it from you in your absence.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.