Quintus Aurelius Symmachus → destinatário desconhecido

I wish I could use you as my envoy to the excellent consul to explain and excuse my absence -- if I knew that you yourself would forgive me first. For when I think of the affection you both share for me, I worry that, just as you both love me equally, you will both blame me equally. So who should I call on to defend me in this matter? My own fortune, obviously -- whose defense, though miserable, is entirely just. It is not right for those in mourning to attend joyful ceremonies. Perhaps my sadness would even have dampened your celebration, since it always happens that we take on the mood we read in the faces of our friends. So forgive my absence, and plead my case before the distinguished consul. His honor is something I am proud to celebrate; it is only the festivities of the fortunate that I cannot bring myself to attend.