LETTER LXXXIX. 

A brief acknowledgement of letters.

AMBROSE TO ALYPIUS.

1. Antiochus, a man of consular rank, delivered to me your Excellency's letter; nor did I neglect to reply to it; for I sent you a letter by my own messenger, and another occasion having offered, I sent, if I mistake not, a second. But since the offices of friendship are rather, I think, to be added to than balanced; it became my duty, especially on his return who had laid upon me such a debt of obligation by your letters, to make some return in the way of my own correspondence, that so I might stand clear with both of you, and he with you, bound as he was to bring you back what he had brought from you.

Farewell; love me, who love you.

EPISTOLA LXXXIX.

 De ALYPII  ad se, deque suis ad eum litteris agit. 

AMBROSIUS ALYPIO.

1. Antiochus vir consularis reddidit mihi eximietatis tuae litteras, nec supersedi respondendi munere; nam per meos homines dedi litteras, et ni fallor, alia oborta copia, 1108 geminavi epistolam. Sed quia non tam remetienda amicitiae munia, quam  1284C cumulanda arbitror: oportuit ipso praesertim regrediente, qui me tanto litterarum tuarum affecit nomine, referri aliquod officium sermonis mei; ut ego utrique vestrum, et ille tibi absolveretur, qui debebat referre quod acceperat. Vale, et diligentes te dilige.