To Stasimus, Count and Primate, for Celestinianus

To tell the sufferings of the most honorable and distinguished Celestinianus would take the eloquence of tragedy. The tragic poets set out the ills of humanity at full length, but I can only tell your excellency in a word: his country is Libya, so long on everyone’s lips; his city is far-famed Carthage; his inherited rank was a seat on her famous council; his circumstances were wealthy. But all this is now a tale, mere words stripped bare of the things they once named. The barbarian war has robbed him of all of it. But such is fortune: she refuses to stay always with the same people, and hurries to move house and live with others. [a]

Let me introduce this guest to your excellency, and I beg you to let him enjoy your far-famed generosity. I also ask that through your excellency he may become known to all who hold office and wealth, so that you may become a means of benefit to them, and also win the higher reward from our merciful God.