75 (361). To Aburgius
LETTERS
75. To AbuTgius1 Although there are many qualities which make your character superior to that of others, nothing is so characteristically yours as zeal for your country. Moreover, because you make just returns to that country from which you are sprung, you have become so great that your fame is known throughout the whole world. This same country which brought you forth and nourished you has now returned to the incredible condition found in ancient tales, and no one coming into our city, not even one who is very well acquainted, would recognize it, so suddenly has it been transformed into a complete solitude. Even before this many of the magistrates were taken away from it, and, now, almost all have migrated to Podandus. 2 Those remaining, having been torn from them, have themselves fallen into utter despair, and all have been plunged into such a depth of despondency, as even to drain the city of inhabitants and to make the place a terrible solitude, a pitiable sight indeed to friends, but one that brings much joy and cheer to thos~ who have been watching a long time for our fall. Who, then, will stretch out a hand to us? Or who will let fall a sympathetic tear over us, except your
Clemency, who would feel sympathy even for another's city if it were enduring such sufferings, to say nothing of that one which brought you forth into life? If, therefore, you have any power, show it in our present need. At any rate, you have great influence with God, who has abandoned you under no circumstances, and has given many proofs of His benevolence.
I Another attempt to save Cappadocia from being divided into two provo inces. Cf. Letter 74 n. I. I.etter- ~~,147, 178, and 304 are also ad. dressed to Aburgius. Cf. Letter 33 n. I.
2 See Letter 74 n. 6.