1. As soon, Apollonius, as I heard the news of the untimely death
of your son, who was very dear to us all, I fell sick of the same
grief with you, and shared your misfortune with all the tenderness of
sympathy. For he was a sweet and modest young man, devout towards the
Gods, obedient to his parents, and obliging to his friends; indeed
doing all things that were just. But when the tears of his funeral were
scarcely dry, I thought it a time very improper to call upon you and
put you in mind that you should bear this accident like a man; for when
this unexpected affliction made you languish both in body and mind,
I considered then that compassion was more seasonable than advice.
For the most skilful physicians do not put a sudden stop to a flux of
humors, but give them time to settle, and then foment the swelling by
softening and bringing it to a head with medicines outwardly applied.
2. So now that a competent time is past—time which brings all things
to maturity—since the first surprise of your calamity, I believed I
should do an acceptable piece of friendship, if I should now comfort
you with those reasons which may lessen your grief and silence your
complaints.
Soft words alleviate a wounded heart,
If you in time will mitigate the smart.[136]