Letter 186: (A letter of introduction for a relative.) What would you have done if I had come in person and taken up your time? I am quite certain you would have undertaken with all zeal to deliver me from the slander, if I may take as a token what has happened before. Do me this favour, then, through my most discreet kinswoman who approaches you through me...

What would you have done if I had come to you in person and taken up your time? I am quite certain you would have set yourself eagerly to deliver me from the slander — if I may take as a token what has happened before. Do me this favor, then, through my most discreet kinswoman, who comes to you through me. Reverence first the age of your petitioner, and then her disposition and piety — which goes beyond what is ordinarily found. And beyond this, her inexperience in the ways of business; and the troubles that have been brought upon her now by her own family; and above all, my entreaty. The greatest kindness you can do me is speed — speed in the favor I am asking. Even the unjust judge in the Gospel showed kindness to the widow, though only after long and weary persistence on her part. From you I ask for speed, so that she is not worn down by too long a burden of anxiety and misery in a foreign place — though I know full well that Your Piety will make that foreign place feel like home to her.

Ep. CLXXXVI. (A letter of introduction for a relative.) What would you have done if I had come in person and taken up your time? I am quite certain you would have undertaken with all zeal to deliver me from the slander, if I may take as a token what has happened before. Do me this favour, then, through my most discreet kinswoman who approaches you through me, reverencing first the age of your petitioner, and next her disposition and piety, which is more than is ordinarily found in a woman; and besides this, her ignorance in business-matters, and the troubles now brought upon her by her own relations; and above all, my entreaty. The greatest favour you can do me is speed in the benefit for which I am asking. For even the unjust judge in the Gospel showed kindness to the widow, though only after long beseeching and importunity. But from you I ask for speed, that she may not be overwhelmed by being long burdened with anxieties and miseries in a foreign land; though I know quite well that Your Piety will make that alien land to be a fatherland to her.