Letter 3054: Someone might think it is merely a formality that the consul of the previous year still owes these obligations.

Someone else perhaps would think it a small gift that the consul of the previous year discharges; I feel that I and others, who dwell far off, have on the strength of our friendship been put off to this point, while satisfaction was given immediately to those of whom you could not be mindful for so long a time. For he who is munificent at once is in a way admonished by the very fasces of his magistracy; he who renders his services after an interval testifies that he preferred to defer those whose remembrance a longer span of days could not overlay. I see, therefore, whether anyone may believe himself set after others either in rank or in honor: I understand that I have been preferred out of pure affection. For he is not friend enough to whom some customary observance is rendered at once; more honorable is that confidence which thinks it no disgrace to itself if something be owed for a long time to one's intimates. Wherefore I would have you believe that the very delay too has been pleasant to me. So I judge, so I interpret what has lately been conferred upon others according to custom, but preserved for us out of love. [Book LX, before the year 394. To Ricomeres.] The longed-for arrival has offered me the most trustworthy opportunity of paying my duty. For my lord and brother Eugenius, when he had granted me access to himself, added, on being asked, the kindness of a letter to be taken up; by which I display to you the honor of a greeting and earnestly entreat you not to suffer me to be held longer in suspense by your silence. [Book LXI, in the year 385. To Ricomeres.] Some time ago I had delivered a reply which testified that the gifts of your most distinguished consulship had been welcome to me. But having again obtained access to Eugenius, a most distinguished man, my brother, I have doubled my writings, not at all fearing that the doubled discourse would create distaste in you. For I measure by my own mind that friendship cannot feel a satiety of services. However frequent they may be and like things continuous, yet they are always taken up as if rare and long desired. To this opinion of mine the assiduity of your letters will lend credence. For it is implanted in good minds that the things which we wish to obtain abundantly from others, these we ourselves bestow lavishly. [Book LXII, before the year 394.] [...]

Alius fortassis existimet semm esse munus, qnod anni superioris consul exoluat: ego sentio me atque alios, qui procul degimus, amicitiae fiducia ad hoc locorum esse dilatos, illis vero continuo satisfactum, quorum tamdiu memor esse non posses. nam qui statim munificus est, ipsis quodammodo magistratus sui fascibus admonetur; qui 10 ex intervallo reddit officia, testatur eos se maluisse differre, quorum oblivionem dies longior non posset obducere. fvideo igitur, an se quispiam credat ordine aliis aut 2 honore postpositum: ego me intellego pura adfectione praelatum. neque enim satis amicus est, cui soUemne aliquid statim redditur; honestior est illa securitas, quae putat sibi deforme non esse, si quid diu familiaribus debeatur. quare velim credas, 15 moram quoque ipsam mihi iucundam fuisse. sic iudico, sic interpretor, quae dudum aliis ex more delata snnt. nobis amore servata. LX ante a. 394. AD RICOMEREM. Optatus adventas fidissimam mihi optulit facultatem officii deferendi. nam dominus 20 et frater mens Eugenius, cnm mihi sni copiam praestitisset, snmendae epistulae bene- ficium rogatus adiecit ; qua tibi honorificentiam salutationis exhibeo et obnixe deprecor, ne me diutius silentio tuo suspensum esse patiaris. LXI a. 385. AD RICOMEREM. PF 25 Dndum responsa tradideram, quae testarentnr, grata mihi fuisse amplissimi con- sulatus tui munera. sed denuo nanctus Eugenii v. c. fratris mei copiam scripta dupli- cavi haud veritus, ne fastidium tuum crearet sermo geminatus. ex meo quippe animo metior, amicitiam non posse sentire officiomm satietatem. sint quamvis illa crebra et continnis similia, semper tamen ut rara et diu desiderata sumuntur. fauic opinioni 30 meae fidem faciet adsiduitas epistulamm tuamm. insitum quippe est bonis mentibus, nt qnae copiosa ex aliis optamus adipisd, ea ipsi largiter deferamus. 9 mnniflcatas f^ 11 nide AfommMfi, nldero igitnr, an se qnispiam credat, nt ordine aliis, ita et ho- nore postposltum ego 15 incandam] Leetiut^ innandam P bI cni dico P noxae P l m, slnt qnam P, quamuis sint F 31 copiose P ^ m. ab aliis F Q. Atbslits Stmmachts. ]2 90 SYMMACHI EPISTVLAE LXII ante a. 394.