Basil to Libanius.
and behold, yet another
Cappadocian has come to you; a son of my own! Yet my present
position makes all men my sons. On this ground he may be regarded
as a brother of the former one, and worthy of the same attention alike
from me his father, and from you his instructor—if really it is
possible for these young men, who come from me, to obtain any further
favours. I do not mean that it is not possible for your
excellency to give anything more to your old comrades, but because your
services are so lavishly bestowed upon all. It will be sufficient
for the lad before he gets experience if he be numbered among those who
are intimately known to you. I trust you may send him back to me
worthy of my prayers and of your great reputation in learning and
eloquence. He is accompanied by a young man of his own age, and
of like zeal for instruction; a youth of good family, and closely
associated with myself. I am sure he will be in every way as well
treated, though his means are smaller than is the case with the
rest.