12 (171). To Olympius
LETTERS
have sent them on in good health to your Nobility" with a prayer to the loving God that they may be given an angel of peace as a support and companion on the way, and that they may find you in good health and in perfect tranquillity, that, wherever you may be, serving the Lord and giving thanks to Him, you may continue, as long as we are in this life, to gladden us with good news of yourself. But, if the holy God grants you the grace to be more quickly freed from your present cares, we urge you to choose life with us in preference to anything else. For, I think that you have not found any others who love you so much and esteem your friendship so highly as we. As long, therefore, as the Holy
One imposes this separation, deign, on every possible pretext, to console us with a letter.
12. To Olympius Formerly you wrote us, but briefly; now, not even a few words. Since your brevity keeps increasing with time, it is likely to become complete silence. Return, therefore, to your first practice; we shall no longer find fault with you for the laconic terseness of your letters. On the contrary, we shall highly esteem even your brief messages as tokens of your great love. Only, write us.
13. To Olympius Just as everything else which is seasonal appears in its own proper time-flowers in spring, ears of corn in summer, and apples in autumn-so intellectual discussions are the fruit of winter.
3 Eugeneian-a title of address used by 5t. Basil for laymen only.