Letter CCCLIV.

Libanius to Basil.

Now I recognise men’s description of me!  Basil has praised me, and I am hailed victor over all!  Now that I have received your vote, I am entitled to walk with the proud gait of a man who haughtily looks down on all the world.  You have composed an oration against drunkenness.  I should like to read it.  But I am unwilling to try to say anything clever.  When I have seen your speech it will teach me the art of expressing myself.

ΛΙΒΑΝΙΟΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙῼ

[1] Νῦν ἔγνων εἶναι ὃ λέγομαι: Βασιλείου γάρ με ἐπαινέσαντος, κατὰ πάντων ἔχω τὰ νικητήρια. Καὶ τὴν ψῆφον δεξάμενος τὴν σὴν ἔπεστί μοι βαδίζειν μετὰ σοβαροῦ τοῦ βαδίσματος, οἷά τις ἀλαζὼν τοὺς πάντας περιφρονῶν. Ἐπεὶ οὖν καὶ σοὶ κατὰ μέθης λόγος πεποίηται, βουλόμεθα τούτῳ περιτυχεῖν. Ἀλλὰ κομψὸν μέν τι λέγειν οὐκ ἐθέλω, ὁ δὲ λόγος ὀφθεὶς διδάξει με τὴν τοῦ λέγειν τέχνην.