Letter 36

36. Without address, concerning assistance.

The presbyter of this place has long, I think, been known to your nobility as one brought up together with me. What else, then, need I say to shame your kindness into looking upon him as your own and helping him in his affairs? For if you love me — as indeed you do — it is plain that you are also disposed to give rest, with all your power, to those whom I hold in my own stead. What, then, is it that I ask? That the old assessment be preserved for him. For he labours not a little in ministering to my livelihood, since I, as you yourself know, possess nothing of my own, but make do with what belongs to my friends and kinsmen. As you would regard my house, then — or rather your own — so regard the house of this brother; and in return for your kindness to him, God will grant to you, and to your house, and to all your family, his accustomed help. And know that it is a matter of great care to me that the man should suffer no injury from the reassessment.