Ep. XXI.

Gold is changed and transformed into various forms at various times, being fashioned into many ornaments, and used by art for many purposes; yet it remains what it is—gold; and it is not the substance but the form which admits of change.  So also, believing that your kindness will remain unchanged for your friends, although you are ever climbing higher, I have ventured to send you this request, because I do not more reverence your high rank than I trust your kind disposition.  I entreat you to be favourable to my most respectable son Nicobulus, who is in all respects allied with me, both by kindred and by intimacy, and, which is more important, by disposition.  In what matters, and to what extent?  In whatever he may ask your aid, and as far as may seem to you to befit your Magnanimity.  I on my part will repay you the best I have.  I have the power of speech, and of proclaiming your goodness, if not nearly according to its worth, at any rate to the best of my ability.

[21] ΣΩΦΡΟΝΙΩΙ

Ὁ χρυσὸς ἄλλοτε μὲν ἄλλως μεταποιεῖται καὶ σχηματίζεται, εἰς πολλοὺς κόσμους τυπούμενος καὶ πρὸς πολλὰ ὑπὸ τῆς τέχνης ἀγόμενος: μένει δ' ὅπερ ἐστί, χρυσός, καὶ οὐχ ἡ ὕλη μεταβολήν, ἀλλὰ τὸ σχῆμα λαμβάνει. Οὕτω καὶ τὴν σὴν καλοκἀγαθίαν ἡγούμενοι τὴν αὐτὴν μένειν τοῖς φίλοις, κἂν ἀεὶ προΐῃς ἐπὶ τὰ ἔμπροσθεν, ταύτην ἐθαρρήσαμεν τὴν πρεσβείαν προσαγαγεῖν, οὐ μᾶλλον τὴν ἀξίαν εὐλαβηθέντες ἢ τῷ τρόπῳ πιστεύσαντες. Τῷ αἰδεσιμωτάτῳ υἱῷ ἡμῶν Νικοβούλῳ τὰ πάντα ἔχοντι πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἐπιτηδείως καὶ διὰ συγγένειαν καὶ διὰ τὴν οἰκειότητα καί, τὸ τούτων μεῖζον, διὰ τὸν τρόπον, γενοῦ δεξιός. Ἐν τίσι, καὶ πόσον; Ἐν οἷς αὐτὸς σοῦ δεηθήσεται, καὶ ὅσον τῇ σῇ μεγαλονοίᾳ πρέπειν ὑπολαμβάνεις. Ἀντιδώσομεν δὲ καὶ ἡμεῖς ὧν ἔχομεν τὸ κάλλιστον. Ἔχομεν δὲ τοὺς λόγους καὶ τὸ κήρυκες εἶναι τῆς σῆς ἀρετῆς, εἰ καὶ μὴ τῆς ἀξίας ἐγγύς, ἀλλά γε κατὰ τὴν ἡμετέραν δύναμιν.