Letter 109
To his Brother
Just at present I have neither asses, nor mules, nor horses at hand, for all have gone to pasture. If I could have used them, I might have come to your beloved presence. I wanted very much to make the journey on foot, and I might perhaps have done it, but my relations are opposed to the project. They say that I should make those I met laugh at me. Evidently the people on the road, whoever they may be, are wisdom itself. They have so much sense that each one of them knows what becomes me better than I do myself. How many judges are opposed upon us by those who wish to make us live for appearances! In the end I gave in, not to warnings, but to force. At the very moment when I was on the point of leaving, they would not let me, but seized me b the cloak. There is only one thing left for me to do, to despatch this letter in my place. I send you by it all my messages of affection. I ask you what are the exports from Ptolemais, I mean what news you are probably bringing from government head-quarters. Above all, tell me what I ought to think of the mysterious rumour that has come from the west, for you know that it makes a great difference to me whether it is true or not. If, then, you will write to me, and will give me all the details clearly stated, I will remain here. If not, you too will be reproaching me for having rushed to you.
Letter 110
To his Brother
You remember Chilas, I suppose; I mean the one who kept a disorderly
house. Probably few do not know him. He was quite celebrated in his walk of life.
Andromache, the actress who was one of the prettiest women of our time, was part of his
company. After having passed his youth in this honourable career, he took it into his head
that it would be a fitting sequel to his past life to shine in his old age by military
achievements. So he has just come to us, after obtaining from the Emperor the command of
our brave Marcomans. Now that they are so happy as to have a really fitting leader, it
seems to us that these soldiers, who have always been brave enough, cannot fail to
distinguish themselves by the most brilliant feats of arms.
Chilas, then, told Syrianus, when he met him, -- you know the latter,
of course, a doctor, who is one of my neighbours,-- and Syrianus repeated to me, the state
of the camp of the Lord's annointed when he took his departure. Now as to other details
that he gave me and to which I myself paid little attention at the moment, why should I
trouble to mention them to you? There are, however, a few things which greatly tickle me
and with which I would fain regale you in turn.
Our wonderful Joannes, in a word, is in the same position as ever.
Fortune is showing herself as prodigal as possible to him, and is even seeking to surpass
herself. He has the ear of the Emperor, and more important still, his good will to use for
his own needs. Then, again, Antiochus does for him whatever he can, and Antiochus can do
whatever he will. When I speak of Antiochus, do not confound him with Gratian's favourite,
the sacred little man, honourable in character, but very ugly. The man I am talking about
is young, has a paunch, was in great esteem with Narses the Persian and even after Narses.
Since then his fortune has only gone on increasing. Under these circumstances it is
probable that he will be in command among us as long as is a raven's life, this most
righteous general, the near relation of the one and the intimate of the other.