I know that I have often
recommended many persons to your excellency, and so in serious
emergencies have been very useful to friends in distress. But I
do not think that I have ever sent to you one whom I regard with
greater respect, or one engaged in contests of greater importance, than
my very dear son Eusebius, who now places this letter in your
hands. He will himself inform your excellency, if the opportunity
is permitted him, in what difficulties he is involved. I ought to
say, at least, as much as this. The man ought not to be
misjudged, nor, because many have been convicted of disgraceful doings,
ought he to come under common suspicion. He ought to have a fair
trial, and his life must be enquired into. In this way the
untruth of the charges against him will be made plain, and he, after
enjoying your righteous protection, will ever proclaim what he owes to
your kindness. The Ben.
note considers the circumstances referred to are the cruelties of
Valens to those who were accused of enquiring by divination as to
who should succeed him on the throne. cf. Ammianus
Marcellinus xxix. 1, 2.