Letter 87: By the gods and by philosophy itself -- give some measure of help to the teacher Cleobulus.

To Themistius. (359) In the name of the gods and of philosophy: extend some measure of help to the teacher Cleobulus; for what he asks is just, and it is your custom to stand on the side of justice. And at the same time, by granting your nod, one will see those who now act with insolence become more moderate. For Alexander and Severus are quite simply a matched pair of Crobylus's sort, and people say they will sooner cease to breathe than to do wrong; yet once they recognize that Themistius will not allow it, then, even if not willingly, still unwillingly perhaps, they will become better men. Zoilus has been sent both to inform you, should you need anything, and to remind you, in case your concern for the greater number should draw you away from taking thought about these matters. I was writing this while Cleobulus was unwell; and he is sick from despondency, because two dung-beetles are running him down. If, then, something is done quickly, it is likely both that he will recover and that you will gain the glory of having saved a friend.

**To Themistius** (359) By the gods and by philosophy — grant some measure of aid to the teacher Cleobulus. His requests are just, and it is your habit to stand on the side of justice. You need only nod, and those who now behave so outrageously will soon be found quite moderate. Alexander and Severus are simply a matched pair of rogues, and they say they will sooner stop breathing than stop making trouble. But once they learn that Themistius will not permit it, they will perhaps become better men — if not willingly, then against their will. Zoilus has been sent to inform you, should you need any details, and to remind you, should the care of your many responsibilities draw your attention away from this matter. I write this while Cleobulus is ill — and he is sick from despair, because two beetles are running him down. If something is done quickly, he will likely recover, and you will win the reputation of having saved a friend.

Θεμιστίῳ. (359) Πρὸς θεῶν καὶ φιλοσοφίας. νεῖμόν τι βοηθείας τῷ δι- δασκάλῳ Κλεοβούλῳ· δίκαιά τε γὰρ δεῖται καὶ σοὶ μετὰ τῶν δικαίων ἔθος ἑστάναι. καὶ ἅμα δεῖ νεῦσαι καὶ τοὺς νῦν ὑβρίζοντας ὄψεταί τις μετρίους. ἐστὸν μὲν οὖν Ἀλέξανδρός τε καὶ Σευῆρος ἀτεχνῶς Κρωβύλου ζεῦγος καὶ πρότερόν φασι τοῦ ἐμπνεῖν ἢ τοῦ κακουργεῖν παύσεσθαι, γνόντες δέ, ὡς οὐκ ἐπιτρέψει Θεμίστιος, εἰ καὶ μὴ ἑκόντες, ἀλλ’ ἄκοντες ἴσως ἔσονται βελτίους. Ζωίλος δὲ ἀπέσταλται διδάξων τε, εἴ του δέοιο καὶ ὑπομνήσων, εἴ σε τὸ πλειόνων κήδεσθαι τῆς περὶ ταῦτα προνοίας ἀπάγοι. ταῦτα ἔγραφον ἀσθενοῦντος Κλεο- βούλου, νοσεῖ δὲ ἀθυμῶν, ὅτι αὐτοῦ καταθέουσι δύο καν- θάρω. ἢν οὖν τι ταχέως πραχθῇ, τοῦτόν τε εἰκὸς ἀνοίσειν καὶ σοὶ δόξαν ἔσεσθαι τὴν τοῦ σεσωκέναι φίλον.