73 (388). To Callisthenes
SAINT BASIL
them as companions in our solicitude, telling them that the accomplishment of this will be especially gratifying to me.
And send back the fellow deacon when he has completed the business for which he was despatched. For, I am confused, when men have recourse to me, that I am unable to be of any help to them.
73. To Callisthenes1 I gave thanks to God on reading the letter of your Nobility: first, because I received a greeting from a man who chose to honor us, for, truly, we value most highly association with eminent men; secondly, because I had the pleasure of being kindly remembered. The sign of remembrance was the letter.
When I received it and understood its purport, I marveled at how truly, according to the opinion of all, it bespoke paternal reverence. For the fact that a man, incensed and angered, and eager for vengeance against those who had vexed him, really put an end to a great part of his vehemence, and gave us authority in the affair, afforded the pleasure as of a father rejoicing over a spiritual son. In return for this, then, what else remains but to pray for blessings for you-that to friends you may be most pleasing, to enemies formidable, but by all alike respected, in order that even those who have failed in any of their proper duties, taking notice of your gentleness, may reproach themselves because they have wronged such a person as you.
Now, since you have ordered the servants brought to the scene of their disorderly conduct, I ask to know the object of your Excellency's demanding this. For, if you yourself will
1 The Callisthenes mentioned in the preceding letter. This letter was writ. ten at about the same time and on the same subject as the preceding.
LETTERS
be present and will in person exact the penalty for the bold deeds, the slaves will certainly be at hand. In fact, what else can be done if you have already decided upon this? But, we do not know what further favor we shall receive, if we are not able to free the slaves from punishment. And, if in this case business on the way detains you, who will be there to receive the men? And who will punish them for you? But, if you are resolved that they shall come into your presence, and this has been decided once and for all, order them to come no farther than Sasima, and there show the gentleness and magnanimity of your character. For after you have taken in hand those who have provoked you, and have shown in this way that your dignity must not be treated with contempt, dismiss them unharmed, as we urged in our former letter, thus not only granting us a favor, but also receiving from God the recompense for your deeds.
And I say this, not because I think that the matters should be brought to an end in this way, but because I am yielding to your impetuosity and because I fear that some rawness of spirit may remain, and as even the simplest of remedies appear painful in the case of inflamed eyes, so now, also, our words may rouse your anger rather than calm it. Yet, to entrust the vengeance to us would be especially becoming and would avail to bring the greatest honor to you and to achieve the desirable respect for me among my friends and contemporaries. At any rate, even if you have sworn to give them up for punishment according to the laws, our censure is neither inferior as a legal remedy, nor is the divine law less honored than are the civil laws.
But, it would be possible that, if they were corrected here by our laws, in which you yourself also have the hope of salvation, you would be freed from the obligation of your oath, and they would pay a penalty commensurate with their sins.