And what is one to say about the other events which happened on the way, the fears
and the perils? as I recall them day by day, and continually bear them in mind, I am elated
with pleasure, I leap for joy as one who has a great treasure laid up in store for him; for such
is my position and feeling about them. Wherefore also I beseech your Honour to rejoice at
these things, to be glad, and leap for joy, and to glorify God who has counted me worthy to
suffer such things. And I beseech you to keep these matters to yourself, and not to divulge
them to any one, although for the most part the proconsular soldiers can fill all the city (with
the story) as they themselves have undergone extreme danger.
4. Nevertheless do not let any one know this from your prudence, but rather put down
those who talk about it. But if you are distressed lest the consequences of my ill-treatment
should remain, know for certain that I have shaken myself entirely free from them, and that
I am in better bodily health than when I was sojourning in Cæsarea. And why do you dread
the cold? for a suitable dwelling has been prepared for me, and my lord Dioscorus does and
arranges everything so as to prevent my having the least sensation of cold. And if I may
form a conjecture from the outset of my experience, the climate now seems to me oriental
in character, no less than that of Antioch. So great is the warmth, so pleasant is the temper-
ature. But you have grieved me much by saying, “perhaps you are annoyed with me as
having neglected you,” yet I despatched a letter many days ago to your honour begging you
not to move me from this place. Now I have had occasion to consider that you need a strong
defence and much toil and labour to be able to make a satisfactory apology for this expression.
But perhaps you have made a partial apology, by saying “I am generally occupied in thinking
how to increase my affliction.” But I in my turn reckon it as the greatest accusation that you
should say “I take a pride in increasing my sorrow by thinking over it:” for when you ought
to make every possible effort to dispel your affliction you do the devil’s will, by increasing
your despondency and sorrow. Are you not aware how great an evil despondency is?
As to the Isaurians, dismiss your fears in future concerning them: for they have returned
into their own country: and the governor has done everything necessary in this respect; and
I am in far greater security here than when I was in Cæsarea. For in future I have no one to
fear so much as the bishops, with a few exceptions. On account of the Isaurians then fear
nothing: for they have retreated, and when winter has set in they are confined to their own
homes, although they may possibly come out after Whitsuntide. And what do you mean by
saying that you have not the benefit of letters from me? I have already sent you three long
letters, one by the proconsular soldiers, one by Antonius, and the third by Anatolius my
servant; two of them were a salutary medicine capable of reviving any one who was despond-
ing or stumbling, and conducting him into a healthy state of serenity. When you have received
these letters then go over them constantly and thoroughly, and you will perceive their force
and enjoy experience of their healing power, and benefit, and will inform me that you have
derived much advantage therefrom. I have also a third letter ready, similar to these, which
418
To Olympias.