Letter CCCLII.

Libanius to Basil.

Behold!  I have sent you my speech, all streaming with sweat as I am!  How should I be otherwise, when sending my speech to one who by his skill in oratory is able to shew that the wisdom of Plato and the ability of Demosthenes were belauded in vain?  I feel like a gnat compared with an elephant.  How I shiver and shake, as I reckon up the day when you will inspect my performance I am almost out of my wits!