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

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

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To Aburgius.Letter CXLVII. 2484To Aburgius. 2485Up 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 themost excellent Maximus has led me to look on what I used to think fabulous <strong>and</strong> incredible,as exceedingly probable. Maximus was governor of no insignificant people, just as Ulysseswas chief of the Cephallenians. Ulysses had great wealth, <strong>and</strong> returned stripped ofeverything. To such straits has calamity reduced Maximus, that he may have to presenthimself at home in borrowed rags. And perhaps he has suffered all this because he has irritatedsome Læstrygones against him, <strong>and</strong> has fallen in with some Scylla, hiding a dog’sfierceness <strong>and</strong> fury under a woman’s form. Since then he has barely been able to swim outof this inextricable whirlpool. He supplicates you by my means for humanity’s sake to grievefor his undeserved misfortunes <strong>and</strong> not be silent about his needs, but make them known tothe authorities. He hopes thus that he may find some aid against the sl<strong>and</strong>ers which havebeen got up against him: <strong>and</strong> if not, that at all events the intention of the enemy who hasshewn such an intoxication of hostility against him may be made public. When a man hasbeen wronged it is a considerable comfort to him if the wickedness of his enemies can bemade plain.2484 Placed in 373.2485 To commend Maximus, late prefect of Cappadocia <strong>and</strong> in great distress.598

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