Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Series 2 - The Still Small ...

To Aburgius. 2485
Letter CXLVII. 2484
Up to this time I used to think Homer a fable, when I read the second part of his poem,
in which he narrates the adventures of Ulysses. But the calamity which has befallen the
most excellent Maximus has led me to look on what I used to think fabulous and incredible,
as exceedingly probable. Maximus was governor of no insignificant people, just as Ulysses
was chief of the Cephallenians. Ulysses had great wealth, and returned stripped of
everything. To such straits has calamity reduced Maximus, that he may have to present
himself at home in borrowed rags. And perhaps he has suffered all this because he has irritated
some Læstrygones against him, and has fallen in with some Scylla, hiding a dog’s
fierceness and fury under a woman’s form. Since then he has barely been able to swim out
of this inextricable whirlpool. He supplicates you by my means for humanity’s sake to grieve
for his undeserved misfortunes and not be silent about his needs, but make them known to
the authorities. He hopes thus that he may find some aid against the slanders which have
been got up against him: and if not, that at all events the intention of the enemy who has
shewn such an intoxication of hostility against him may be made public. When a man has
been wronged it is a considerable comfort to him if the wickedness of his enemies can be
made plain.
2484 Placed in 373.
2485 To commend Maximus, late prefect of Cappadocia and in great distress.
To Aburgius.
598