Letter 59: Even if you cannot have all that you desire, you have at least half of it.

To Albanius. (359/360) Well, even if you do not enjoy the whole of your desire, you enjoy at least the half of it. For, since you are in love with our city, you have of it no small part: the noble Priscianus, who took an interest in your labors, to whose declamation you used to listen, who, when you were praising Modestus, clothed in glory the things you said. Repay the man, then, with praises, and teach your beloved Ancyra what sort of man this is in eloquence and in the character of his ways. And altogether a man who knows how to speak is their godsend. I think that you will be drawn back again to your old loves, if you should learn the reason for his journey. A longing for this man's tongue has seized the emperor [Constantius]. And to prevail in those contests is itself a great thing and becomes the beginning of greater things. Looking to these things, let no one consider rhetoric without honor, for it is a mighty thing among those with whom it truly exists, and it has something to say to those who despise it: "Still there is strength in me."

**To Albanius** (359/360) Even if you cannot enjoy the full measure of your desire, you have at least half of it. For since you are in love with our city, you have no small portion of it in the excellent Priscianus — he who looked after your labors, whose recitations you attended, and who, when you were praising Modestus, lent distinction to your words by putting them forward. Repay the man, then, with your praise, and teach beloved Ancyra who this man is in eloquence and in the qualities of his character. A man who knows how to speak will surely recognize the treasure in these gifts. And I believe you will embrace your old love once again, if you learn the reason for his journey. A longing for his tongue has seized the Emperor. And victory in those contests is itself a great thing, and becomes the beginning of still greater things. Let no one, seeing this, think rhetoric without honor — for it is powerful among those where it truly exists, and to those who look down on it, it can say: "Still the strength abides in me."

Ἀλβανίῳ. (359/360) Ἀλλ’ εἰ καὶ μὴ πάσης τῆς ἐπιθυμίας, τοῦ γε ἡμίσεος ἀπολαύεις. τῆς γὰρ πόλεως ἡμῶν ἐρῶν ἔχεις αὐτῆς οὐκ ὀλί- γον τὸν καλὸν Πρισκιανόν, ᾧ τῶν σῶν ἔμελε πόνων, οὗ προβάλλοντος ἤκουες, ὅς, ὅτε ἐπῄνεις Μόδεστον, οἷς ἔλε- γες περιέθηκε δόξαν. ἀμείβου δὴ τὸν ἄνδρα εὐφημίαις καὶ δίδασκε τὴν φιλτάτην Ἄγκυραν, τίς οὑτοσὶ τοὺς λόγους καὶ τὰ τῶν τρόπων ἤθη. πάντως δὲ αὐτῶν τὸ ἕρμαιον ἀνὴρ ἐπιστάμενος λέγειν. οἶμαι δέ σε τῶν παιδικῶν αὖθις ἕξε- σθαι, τῆς ὁδοῦ τὴν αἰτίαν εἰ μάθοις. πόθος ἔλαβε τὸν βα- σιλέα τῆς τούτου γλώττης. καὶ τὸ κρατεῖν ἐν τοῖς ἀγῶσιν ἐκείνοις αὐτό τε μέγα καὶ μειζόνων ἀρχὴ γίνεται. πρὸς ταῦτα ὁρῶν τις μὴ νομιζέτω ῥητορικὴν ἄτιμον, ἰσχυρὸν γάρ ἐστι παρ’ οἷς ὄντως ἔστι, καὶ πρὸς τοὺς ὑπερορῶντας ἔχει λέγειν· ἔτι μοι μένος.