Letter 209: Chrysostom asks Salvian for news of his health, his wife's health, and his whole household.

That you love us, whether you write or keep silent, I know clearly. You cannot be hidden, since you are such a strong friend to us. Everyone says this, and many who come to us report your warm and genuine love. Still, we would like to receive letters often from your Nobility, reporting on your health, on the health of my lady your wife, and on your whole household. You know how important this is to us. Even if what we ask is difficult now because of winter and because few people come from your area, write whenever possible and tell us the things we ask. We count your health and safety as our own wealth, gladness, and great pleasure. Do not deprive us of such joy, but grant to those who love you deeply the comfort that comes through letters.

ΣΘʹ. Σαλβίωνι. Ὅτι μὲν ἡμᾶς ἀγαπᾷς, κἂν γράφῃς, κἂν σιγᾷς, οἶδα σαφῶς. Οὐδὲ γὰρ δύνασαι λαθεῖν οὕτω σφοδρὸς ἡμῶν ὢν ἐραστὴς, ἀλλὰ πάντες τοῦτο ᾄδουσι, καὶ πολλοὶ πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀφικνούμενοι τὴν θερμήν σου καὶ γνησίαν ἡμῖν ἀπαγγέλλουσιν ἀγάπην. Ἐβουλόμεθα δὲ καὶ γράμματα συνεχῶς δέχεσθαι παρὰ τῆς εὐγενείας τῆς σῆς, περὶ τῆς ὑγείας τῆς σῆς δηλοῦντα, καὶ τῆς δεσποίνης μου τῆς ἐλευθέρας σου, καὶ τοῦ οἴκου σου παντός· οἶσθα γὰρ ὅπως ἡμῖν τοῦτο περισπούδαστον. Ταῦτ' οὖν εἰδὼς, δέσποτά μου τιμιώτατε, εἰ καὶ ἐργῶδες ὅπερ αἰτοῦμεν λοιπὸν διὰ τὴν τοῦ χειμῶνος ὥραν, καὶ τὸ σπανιάκις ἡμῖν τινας ἐπιχωριάζειν, ὅτε ἂν ἐξῇ, γράφειν ἡμῖν μὴ κατόκνει, ταῦτα δηλῶν ἅπερ ᾐτήσαμεν. Τὴν γὰρ ὑγείαν τὴν ὑμετέραν καὶ τὴν ἀσφάλειαν ἡμέτερον εἶναι νομίζομεν πλοῦτον, καὶ εὐφροσύνην, καὶ πολλὴν ἡδονήν. Μὴ δὴ τοσαύτης ἡμᾶς ἀποστερήσῃς ἡδονῆς, ἀλλὰ χαρίζου τοῖς σφόδρα σε ἀγαπῶσι τὴν διὰ τῶν τοιούτων γραμμάτων παράκλησιν, πολλὴν ἡμῖν κομίζουσαν τὴν παραμυθίαν.