Quintus Aurelius Symmachus → destinatário desconhecido
Tradução moderna em inglês
Even if personal and friendly petition were lacking, the force of public justice could not fail to support so righteous a demand. For what is more natural to justice than that a swindler of a distinguished and praiseworthy woman — one who is also my kinswoman — should be brought to account? The details of the case will be explained by the bearer of this letter, but I assure you that the facts are clear and the injury is severe.
I ask that you bring the full weight of your authority to bear in her defense. A prompt resolution will serve not only her interests but the cause of justice itself. Farewell.
Texto latino / grego
Etiamsi petitio domestica et amica cessaret, pnblicus vigor iusto desiderio deesse Don posset. quid enim tam familiare iustitiae , quam ut circumscriptor clarissimae et laudabilis feminae parentis meae astutiae snae privetur effectu, ne commodis inludat 5 alienis provineialium patronorum fretus auxilio? quorum inpotentia conpulit, ut ma- 2 trona litium fugitans ad iudicium praetoriani culminis convolaret. res autem, qua de agitur, eiusmodi est : ante paucissimos menses ille a parente mea horrea in Aquileiensi sita et clarissimae feminae propter longinquitatem itineris incognita tenui mercede conduxit, atque his ita abusus est, ut parvo licet tempore iisdem locis labem consulto 10 intulisse dicatur. hunc ubi saepe convenit, ut conductione decederet, contemptu ho- 3 minis et interventu quorundam frequenter elusa est. nunc opis indiga geminum be- neficium vestri favoris exoptat : primo ut inprobissimus inquilinus locorum rfetentione pellatur; dehinc ut habita deterioratae rei aestimatione sumptum iustae instaurationis agnoscat. cum igitur aequa poscamus, credo confore, ut utilitatibus parentis meae i& favor vester adrideat. LXVim (LXX) a. 387.