87 (390). Without Address, concerning the Same Subject
LETTERS
ed of himself do less wrong than he who serves for the wickedness of others? For those who suffer, the harm done is the same. \Ve ask that this man receive again his grain from those who robbed him, and that they be not allowed to blame others for their brash deeds. And we shall esteem the favor from your Excellency, if you will be so kind as to grant it, as highly as if we were escaping the hardship of famine.
87. Without Address, concernzng the Same Subjectl I am astonished that, when you were acting as mediator, so much wrong was perpetrated against our fellow presbyter 2 that he was despoiled of the only means of livelihood that he possessed. And the most terrible part of it is that they who dared to do this laid the responsibility for what they had done upon you, whose duty it even was, far from permitting such a thing to happen, to prevent it with all your strength in the case of all men; certainly, if not all, at least in the case of our presbyters and of those who are of the same mind with us and are proceeding along the same road of piety.
Therefore, if you have any care to relieve us, see that the things which have been done are set right. For, you are able, with the help of God, to correct both these matters and still greater for whomever you may wish. I have written also to the governor of the country in order that, if they are not willing to do right of themselves, they may be compelled to do so by the action of the courts.
I On the same subject and of the same date as the preceding letter.
2 Dorotheus.