M. CORNELIUS FRONTO
day[1] for me, and I am assured that they will grant my prayer, for I commend to their bounty him whom the Gods themselves delight to aid and deem worthy of their help. You, my master, when other joyous thoughts pass through your mind on this your festal day, count over to yourself those who dearly love you: among the chief of these set this your pupil, set the Lord my brother there, both of us men that love you passionately. Farewell, my master, and may you for many years to come enjoy unbroken good health with your daughter, grandchildren and son-in-law[2] spared to make your happiness complete.
Our Faustina is recovering her health. Our little chick Antoninus[3] coughs rather less. The occupants of our little nest, each as far as he is old enough to do so, offer prayers for you. Next year and the year after and right on into a long old age, most delightful of masters, may you have the best of good health. I ask of you—and do not refuse me—not to take the trying journey to Lorium for Cornificia's[4] birthday. God willing, you shall see us at Rome a few days hence. But if you love me, pass the coming night in peace and quiet without attending to any business however pressing. Grant this to your Antoninus, who asks it with sincerity and concern.
Fronto to Antoninus Augustus.
1. For this old man and, as you style him, your master, good health, a good year, good fortune,
- ↑ Hor. Od. iv. xi. 17.
- ↑ Victorinus, who married Gratia about 160.
- ↑ Antoninus (Geminus) and Lucius Aurelius Commodus, afterwards emperor, were born on Aug. 31, 161. The former died four years later.
- ↑ The daughter of Marcus.
