DXXI (F XIII, 28)
TO SERVIUS SULPICIUS RUFUS (IN ACHAIA)
Rome
Though I take pleasure in asking you for anything that
any one of my friends requires, yet I take much greater in
thanking you, when you have done something on my recommendation,
as you are always doing. For it is beyond
belief what thanks I get from all, even from those who
have been recommended by me to you with only moderate
warmth. Every instance gives me gratification, but none
so much as that of L. Mescinius. For he told me that
directly you had read my letter you promised his agents all
they wanted, and have in fact been much better than your
word. In that matter therefore—for I think I ought to
say it again and again—I would have you believe that I
am excessively obliged to you. I am, indeed, all the more
delighted at this, because I see clearly that you will get the
highest pleasure from Mescinius himself. For he is not
only a man of virtue and uprightness, very serviceable and
exceedingly attentive, but he has also the same literary
pursuits as ourselves, which in old times were our recreation,
but now are life itself. For the future I would have
you supplement your kindnesses to him in all things consonant
with your character. There are two things which
I ask of you specifically: first, that if any undertaking
has to be given "against farther claims on that head," you
would see to its being given on my security: and, in the
second place, seeing that his inheritance consists almost
entirely of the property appropriated by Oppia, who was
once Mindius's wife, that you should give your assistance
and concert measures for bringing her over to Rome. If
she thinks that is going to be done, in my opinion, we
shall settle the business. I beg you again and again to
enable us to do that. What I said above I now solemnly
confirm and take upon myself to guarantee—that you will
