Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers: Series II/Volume VIII/The Letters/Letter 337

Basil to Libanius.

and behold, yet another Cappadocian has come to you; a son of my own!&#160; Yet my present position makes all men my sons.&#160; On this ground he may be regarded as a brother of the former one, and worthy of the same attention alike from me his father, and from you his instructor&#8212;if really it is possible for these young men, who come from me, to obtain any further favours.&#160; I do not mean that it is not possible for your excellency to give anything more to your old comrades, but because your services are so lavishly bestowed upon all.&#160; It will be sufficient for the lad before he gets experience if he be numbered among those who are intimately known to you.&#160; I trust you may send him back to me worthy of my prayers and of your great reputation in learning and eloquence.&#160; He is accompanied by a young man of his own age, and of like zeal for instruction; a youth of good family, and closely associated with myself.&#160; I am sure he will be in every way as well treated, though his means are smaller than is the case with the rest.