Letters of Libanius · c. 329
Libanius → Modestus
Tradução moderna em inglês
To Modestus.
Neither of these things is new -- neither your constant traveling nor your sending of gifts. You have long been both a man on the move and a generous one. But how could I repay you, if you will not accept words -- the only thing I have?
Texto latino / grego
Μοδέστῳ. Οὐδέτερον καινόν, οὔθ’ ὁ πολύς σου δρόμος οὔθ᾿ ἡ ξενίων πομπή. πάλαι γὰρ δὴ σὺ καὶ περίπολος καὶ φιλόδωρος, ἀλλ’ ἐγὼ σὲ πῶς ἂν ἀμειψαίμην, εἰ τοὺς λόγους, ὃ μόνον ἐστί μοι, μὴ βούλοιο λαμβάνειν;
Texto inglês de origem
To Modestus. Neither thing is new — neither your constant traveling nor your sending of gifts. For you have long been both a man on the move and a generous giver. But how could I repay you, if you refuse to accept my words, which are the only thing I have?