Cicero to Papirius Paeto. Epist. 19.

ANd y•t you leaue no• your won∣ted malice. You write •h•t B•lbus was content•d with a verie little: as minding to inferre; that if Balbus bee contented with lesse then indifferent suppers, much more ought I to be ther∣in satisfied, who am in respect of him, as one that hath beene Consull, is in respect of a King, much inferior. You know no•, that I haue wrung euery thing out of his mouth: you know not, that he came presently, to light at my house. Neither do I wōder so much, that he lighted not rather at yours, as, that he went not vnto his own So soon as I saw him; said I, what doth our P•∣to? and he sware vnto me, that he ne∣uer was more willingly in any place. If Page  462 you haue made him this man with words, I'le frame my •ares as apt to to heare you as his: but if with good cheere: Let me in fauour request you, not to thinke, that the Balbi are more worthie, then the eloquent. Euery day some impediment growes vpon mee: but if I can shake off matters, so, that I may come thither: I will worke after such a sort, that you shall not be abl• to excuse your selfe, that you were too late aduertised. Farewell.