Letter to a magnate complaining about his insolent farmer Josephios TM 39590unbekanntVII

† I have received what was written by your magnificent and God-guarded fatherly lordship, and even if I do not write it, you know that just as I wish to look after myself, so too I wish to serve you, most magnificent and God-guarded ones, in all things. But your son, my brother, said that Josephios your farmer said certain things to his face which cannot be said before your slaves, and I was truly astonished. For you know, even if I do not write it, that it is necessary for the pagarchs to be honoured, especially in these parts. However, so as not to use many words, God willing, tomorrow I am coming to pay my respects to you with my aforementioned brother, and whatever was demanded of your farmers, whether sheep or goats (?) […], we are returning to you here. But you too, masters, ought to write to that same farmer of yours Josephios, so that in future he does not depart from your intention; for I am clearly convinced that you do not wish him to be so brainless. For if he persists in this way, he harms himself. Moreover, master, as I wrote before, even if everything is turned upside down, nothing that grieves you, God-guarded and most magnificent ones, will ever happen. But everything that was demanded of your farmers we are returning to you here, on the pledge of your ally (?), through the letter as […]. I greet your magnificent and God-guarded fatherly lordship. †