Letter 39

39. Julian to Basil.

The proverb says, "It is no war you announce"; and I would add, from the comedy, "O you who have announced a golden message of words." Come, then, show it in deed, and hasten to us; for you will come as friend to friend.

The common and continual occupation with affairs seems, indeed, somewhat burdensome to those who make it a secondary matter; but those who share in the responsibility are, as I persuade myself, fair-minded and intelligent, and altogether equal to everything. So I give myself relief, so that it is possible for me, while neglecting nothing, also to be at rest; for we are together with one another not merely with that courtly dissembling — of which I suppose you have had experience up to now, by which, while praising, men hate with a hatred as great as they bear not even to their bitterest enemies — but, with the freedom that befits us, both convicting one another when need be and rebuking, we love one another no less than the closest of comrades. Hence it is possible for us — and may envy be far off — both to be diligent at our ease and, while diligent, not to be wearied, and to sleep without fear, since even when awake I have kept watch not for myself more than for all the rest, as is fitting.

These things, perhaps, I have prated and chattered to you, having suffered a fit of folly — for I have praised myself, like Astydamas — but I have written them in order to persuade you that your presence, as that of a man of sense, will rather be of profit to us than take anything from the season. Hasten, then, as I said, using the public post. And when you have stayed with us as long as is pleasing to you, you shall go on, sent by us, with whatever escort you wish, as is fitting.