NPNF2-08. Basil: Letters and Select Works - Holy Bible Institute

To Andronicus, a general.Letter CXII. 2376To Andronicus, a general. 23771. Did but my health allow of my being able to undertake a journey without difficulty,and of putting up with the inclemency of the winter, I should, instead of writing, havetravelled to your excellency in person, and this for two reasons. First to pay my old debt,for I know that I promised to come to Sebastia and to have the pleasure of seeing your excellency;I did indeed come, but I failed to meet you because I arrived a little later than yourlordship; secondly, to be my own ambassador, because I have hitherto shrunk from sending,from the idea that I am too insignificant to win such a boon, and at the same time reckoningthat no one by merely writing would be so likely to persuade any one of public or privaterank, in behalf of any one, as by a personal interview, in which one might clear up somepoints in the charges, as to others make entreaty, and for others implore pardon; none ofwhich ends can be easily achieved by a letter. Now against all this I can only set one thing,your most excellent self; and because it will suffice to tell you my mind in the matter, andall that is wanting you will add of yourself, I have ventured to write as I do.2. But you see how from my hesitation, and because I put off explaining the reasons ofmy pleading, I write in roundabout phrase. This man Domitianus has been an intimatefriend of my own and of my parents from the beginning, and is like a brother to me. Whyshould I not speak the truth? When I learnt the reasons for his being in his present troubles,I said that he had only got what he deserved. For I hoped that no one who has ever committedany offence be it small or great, will escape punishment. But when I saw him living alife of insecurity and disgrace, and felt that his only hope depends on your decision, I thoughtthat he had been punished enough; and so I implore you to be magnanimous and humanein the view you take of his case. To have one’s opponents under one’s power is right andproper for a man of spirit and authority; but to be kind and gentle to the fallen is the markof the man supereminent in greatness of soul, and in inclemency. So, if you will, it is inyour power to exhibit your magnanimity in the case of the same man, both in punishinghim and in saving him. Let the fear Domitian has of what he suspects, and of what he knowshe deserves to suffer, be the extent of his chastisement. I entreat you to add nothing to hispunishment, for consider this: many in former times, of whom no record has reached us,have had those who wronged them in their power. But those who surpassed their fellowsin philosophy did not persist in their wrath, and of these the memory has been handeddown, immortal through all time. Let this glory be added to what history will say of you.Grant to us, who desire to celebrate your praises, to be able to go beyond the instances of1892376 Placed in 372.2377 Asking for the merciful consideration of Domitianus, a friend of Basil.549