M. CORNELIUS FRONTO
until, as M. Porcius says, the dead of night falls swiftly down. But why do I string together these Masurian[1] banalities, when I started with saying I should write a few words only? So farewell, most kindly of masters, most honourable of consuls, and let your love be the measure of your longing for me.
Fronto to Marcus Aurelius
The consul to his own Caesar.
Lucky brother[2] of mine to have seen you those two days! But I stick fast in Rome bound with golden fetters, looking forward to the first of September as the superstitious to the star,[3] at sight of which to break their fast. Farewell, Caesar, glory of your country and the Roman name. My Lord, farewell.
Fronto to Marcus Aurelius as Caesar
To my Lord.
I have sent my Gratia[4] to keep your mother's birthday with her, and bidden her stay there till I come. The very moment, however, that I have laid down my consulship with the customary oath[5] I shall climb into my carriage and fly off to you. Meanwhile, I have pledged my word that my Gratia shall run no risk of starvation. For your mother will
- ↑ Masurius Sabinus was a great jurist of Tiberius's reign. Persius (Sat. v. 90) mentions a work of his called Rubrica, Possibly Marcus is alluding to the jargon of minute legal distinctions.
- ↑ Probably named Quadratus. See Corpus Inscr. Lat. xv. 7438.
- ↑ The Jews. The same may be said of the Moslems and their fast.
- ↑ Fronto's wife.
- ↑ The oath was that he had administered his office according to law. Herodian (iv. 3) says that this was done in the old forum (ἀγορά).
