Cicero to Publius Silius, Vice-Praetor. Ep. 64.

I Shall neuer bee able to relate vnto you, how much my Nero commen∣deth you. Questionlesse, he exalts you maruellously; telling me, that he could deuise no respects, wherwith you haue not graced him. You shall thereby reape from him great benefit, for he is the gratefullest young man the world affordeth: and certainly I also take i• verie kindlie. For, of all the Nobility, there is no man dearer vn•o mee. You shall therefore doe mee a singular plea∣sure, Page  772 to performe, what I require at your hands, vpon his request. First, touch∣ing Pa•sania, the Alabandensian; that you will put off the matter so long, till Nero come: whom I perceiue to be ve∣rie studious of his good; and therefo•• I entreat you herein: Then, that you would esteem the Nicae•, who are Nero's greatest friends, and whom he defends with all his abilitie, and power, as zea∣lously recommended: that the same Citie may vnderstand, that Nero's Pa∣trocime, is vnto them a pr•ualent pro∣tection. I many times commended vn•o you, Strabo Seruilius; but now, I doe it more effectually, in that Nero hath vn∣dert•ken, to defend his cause. We re∣quire nothing at your hands, but •hat you will procure an end of the cause; and not suffer Seruilius, an harmelesse person, to bee tired out in a tedious suite, depending in the Court, of such a man, as taking contrarie courses to you, onely affects gaine that is vnlawfull. Wherein, besides the doing me a plea∣sure, you shall also giue m• occasion, to obserue the vse you make of your no∣ble disposition. The sum of this Epistle is, that you will giue Nero satisfact••n in all points of fauour, as you haue de∣termined, and effected. Your •rouinc• hath a large The•ter, which m•ne ha•• not; [Wherein] the glorie and com∣mendation, of so noble, so ing•nuous• Page  773 and so honest a young man [may bee admired.] Wherefore, if you be fauou∣rable to him, as vndoubtedlie you will, and haue alreadie beene, the multitude of Clients left him by his predecessors, may bee oblieged and confi•med by his owne benefits. Wherein, if you aide him, with the assistance that you pretend: vpon occasion hee will re∣turne your fauor with great aduantage; and you shall besides, doe me a singular pleasure. Farewell.