Letter 1078: There's something in my daughter Galla's [the text says "Fusgania" — possibly a copyist error] complaints that I'll...

There is something to be said for the complaints of my daughter Fasgania, a thing which I confess has befallen me in accordance with my wish; for had she not demanded that her own letter be ready to hand for her, the occasion for writing to you would have been wanting to me. I therefore offer first the greeting, which has regard to my duty; the remaining part of the page will pertain to the case of a most distinguished lady [clarissima femina, a senatorial-rank woman], who laments that I know not what piece of farmland has been wrested from her by your men. This I suppose, being aware of your standing and your merit, to have been ventured in slavish presumption without your knowledge, and therefore I have pledged my daughter the readiness of redress, if a friendly complaint should bring this kind of injury before you. I ask, then, that you order the condition of the violated possession to be restored. But if there is any matter of dispute, let it be deferred until the presence of our pledge [our trusted intermediary or surety], who, secure in your justice, declines other adjudicators. To Hesperius. Symmachus to Hesperius. Whenever testimonials are presented for men known for their service, it is fitting to make an economy of words, since it is a worthless business to dwell on things already known. You know that I do everything on Caesarius's behalf that wins approval. That you should hold this man as worthy of regard, I ought rather to hope than to ask. If you seek anything further, we shall reserve it for another letter; for now I must restrain myself from much speaking, since satisfaction seems to have been given both to his wish, and to your honor, and to my obligation. Farewell.

Est aliqaid in qnerellis Fasganiae filiae meae, qaod mihi ex voto fateor accidisse ; nam nisi fataras sibi asai litteras poposcisset, ad scribendam mihi defaisset occasio. praelibo igitar salatationem, qnae meam spectat officiam ; reliqaa pars paginae ad cau- sam clarissimae feminae pertinebit, qaae sibi ab hominibus tais nescio quid agroram deflet ereptam. id ego loci et meriti tai conscias servili aasa clam te opinor ad- 20 missnm, atqae ideo filiae meae correctionis facilitatem spopondi, si ad te familiaris conqnestio genus iniariae pertalisset. qaaeso igitar, at temeratae possessionis statam iabeas reformari. si qaid aatem controversiae est, in pignoris nostri praesentiam dif- feratar, qaae secora iastitiae taae recasat alios (K)gnitores. AD HESPERIVM. 25 LXXV (LXVmi) a. 376—380. SYMHACHVS HESPERIO. Qnotiens viris militiae notis testimonia defernntar, decet operam verboram facere conpendii, qaia nihili negotiam est rebas cognitis immorari. pro CaesaHo nosti omnia facere, qaae probantar. hanc at pensi habeas, sperare magis debeo qaam rogare. so si qaid altra expetis, in alias litteras conferemas; nanc mihi maltiloqoio temperandam est, cam satisfactam esse videatar et illins volantati et tao honori et meo ma- neri. vale. mihi Vf spectata siqnidem mihi M quies om, VM 13 haeret] Seioppiuty haec heret P 1 m., haec h^ret P2m., haeret haec F, heret hio M examine V praesentiam P 25 explic ad titianum germanum auum. incipit ad hesperium P, om, VF 27 om. VF 28 quot- tiens V 29 nihili] Latinius, nihil PVFPP ceaario P 1 m. 31 expetitis V mihi om. P l / / LXXVI (LXX).