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

To Antipater, on his assuming the governorship of Cappadocia.Letter CXXXVII. 2447To Antipater, on his assuming the governorship of Cappadocia. 2448I do now really feel the loss which I suffer from being ill; so that, when such a mansucceeds to the government of my country, my having to nurse myself compels me to beabsent. For a whole month I have been undergoing the treatment of natural hot springs, inthe hope of drawing some benefit from them. But I seem to be troubling myself to no purposein my solitude, or indeed to be deservedly a laughing stock to mankind, for not heeding theproverb which says “warmth is no good to the dead.” Even situated as I am, I am veryanxious to put aside everything else, and betake myself to your excellency, that I may enjoythe benefit of all your high qualities, and through your goodness settle all my home affairshere in a proper manner. The house of our reverend mother Palladia is my own, for I amnot only nearly related to her, but regard her as a mother on account of her character. Now,as some disturbance has been raised about her house, I ask your excellency to postpone theenquiry for a little while, and to wait till I come; not at all that justice may not be done, forI had rather die ten thousand times than ask a favour of that kind from a judge who is afriend of law and right, but that you may learn from me by word of mouth matters whichit would be unbecoming for me to write. If you do so you will in no wise fail in fealty to thetruth, and we shall suffer no harm. I beg you then to keep the individual in question 2449 insafe custody under the charge of the troops, and not refuse to grant me this harmless favour.2022447 Placed in 373.2448 Compare Letters clxxxvi. and clxxxvii.2449 Possibly the person to whom the disturbance at Palladia’s house was due.584