§12.21.1C. Anicius, familiaris meus, vir omnibus rebus ornatus, negotiorum suorum causa legatus est in Africam legatione libera.
C. Anicius, a close friend of mine, a man adorned in every respect, has been sent as an envoy to Africa on a free embassy for the sake of his own business.
Eum velim rebus omnibus adiuves operamque des ut quam commodissime sua negotia conficiat, in primisque, quod ei carissimum est, dignitatem eius tibi commendo idque a te peto, quod ipse in provincia facere sum solitus non rogatus, ut omnibus senatoribus lictores darem; quod idem acceperam et id cognoveram a summis viris factitatum.
I would like you to assist him in all matters and to take care that he may settle his affairs as conveniently as possible, and especially, what is most dear to him, I commend his dignity to you and ask of you that which I myself was accustomed to do in my province without being asked, namely, to grant lictors to all senators; which same thing I had received as a custom, and I had known that this was repeatedly done by the greatest men.
hoc igitur, mi Cornifici, facies ceterisque rebus omnibus eius dignitati reique, si me amas, consules.
Therefore, my Cornificius, you will do this, and you will, if you love me, consult his dignity and interests in all other matters.
erit id mihi gratissimum.
That will be most pleasing to me.
da operam ut valeas.
Take care to keep well.