Procopius likens himself to the Lydians

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Procopius is praising the recipient's letter and now compares his own reaction to the Lydians' devotion to Dionysus.

And I suddenly think I have become a Lydian, imitating the Lydians, who were devoted to Dionysus and observed spring only when Dionysus happened to be present among them.

Greek

καί μοι δοκῶ Λυδὸς ἐξαίφνης

εἶναι, τὰ Λυδῶν μιμησάμενος, οἳ τῷ ∆ιονύσῳ προσκείμενοι μόνον ἔαρ ἦγον ἡνίκα δὴ

καὶ τύχοι παρ' αὐτοῖς ὁ ∆ιόνυσος.

About this text

A short thank-you letter from Procopius of Gaza praising a friend's letter as a spring of words and asking him not to fall silent.

Procopius of Gaza wrote this letter. He was a Christian rhetorician associated with the School of Gaza, and a collection of his letters survives, addressed to friends, persons of rank, and literary opponents.

The letter responds to an unnamed correspondent whose letter delighted Procopius. He writes to thank the sender and to urge that person not to leave him in silence.

Procopius praises the letter as bringing a rational spring and a musical sound in place of swallows. He admires its wording, thought, harmony, and author, and compares himself to the Lydians, who observed spring only when Dionysus happened to be present. Anticipating that the recipient may laugh and call him a sophist, he insists he cannot help admiring what is beautiful and asks not to be made to represent in writing the grief that comes from silence.

Printed text used

Translated from PG 87 (Greek)

This work has passed this project's source check. This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. Open Greek on each section for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.