concerning the rectitude of which you are in doubt;" if so, write
me word. In the interval, I will consider of some excuse, and will
so plead your cause that you may be able to plead it your self any
day you like best. In this respect, you are in a better situation than I
was: the court of the centumviri, where I was to plead, admits of
no adjournment: whereas, in that where your case is to be heard,
though no easy matter to procure one, still, however, it is possible.
Farewell.

XIII

To ROMANUS FIRMUS

As you are my towns-man, my school-fellow, and the earliest
companion of my youth; as there was the strictest friendship
between my mother and uncle and your father (a happiness which I
also enjoyed as far as the great inequality of our ages would admit)
; can I fail (thus biassed as I am by so many and weighty
considerations) to contribute all in my power to the advancement
of your honours? The rank you bear in our province, as decurio, is
a proof that you are possessed, at least, of an hundred thousand
sesterces;15 but that we may also have the satisfaction of seeing
you a Roman Knight,16 I present you with three hundred thousand,
in order to make up the sum requisite to entitle you to that dignity.
The long acquaintance we have had leaves me no room to
apprehend you will ever be forgetful of this instance of my
friendship. And I know your disposition too well to think it
necessary to advise you to enjoy this honour with the modesty that
becomes a person who receives it from me; for the advanced rank
we possess through a friend's kindness is a sort of sacred trust, in