Letter 75

75. To Aburgius.

Many as are the things that have made your character surpass that of others, nothing is so peculiarly your own as your zeal for your country, since you render to her the just recompense — to her from whom you set out and became so great that your distinction is known throughout the whole inhabited world. This country, then, which bore and nourished you, has come round to the incredibility of the old tales; and one who came upon our city, even among those most familiar with it, would not recognize her, so utterly has she been changed all at once into complete desolation, many of those engaged in public affairs having been taken from her even before, and now nearly all having been removed to Podandus. Mutilated of these, those who are left have themselves also fallen into utter despair, and have engendered in all so great a weight of dejection that the city is now scant even of inhabitants, and the place here has become a dreadful desolation — a pitiable sight to friends, but bringing much joy and gladness to those who long ago lay in wait for our downfall. Whose part, then, is it to stretch out a hand to us? Or whose to shed a sympathetic tear over us, but your gentleness, who would sympathize even with a strange city suffering such things, much more with the one that brought you into life? If, then, there is any power in you, show it to us now, in the present need. And surely you have great weight with God, who has on no occasion forsaken you, and has given you many proofs of his favour toward you; only if you are willing fully to rouse yourself to the care of us, and to use the power that is yours for the help of your fellow citizens.