§13.55.1etsi mihi videor intellexisse, cum tecum Ephesi de re M. Annei, legati mei, locutus sum, te ipsius causa vehementer omnia velle, tamen et M. Anneium tanti facio, ut mihi nihil putem praetermittendum quod illius intersit, et me a te tanti fieri puto, ut non dubitem quin ad tuam voluntatem magnus cumulus accedat commendationis meae.
Although I seem to myself to have understood, when I spoke with you at Ephesus about the business of M. Anneius, my legate, that you wish all things eagerly for his own sake, yet I both value M. Anneius so highly that I think nothing should be neglected by me which is of concern to him, and I think that I am valued so highly by you that I do not doubt that my recommendation will add a great heap to your own goodwill.
nam cum iam diu diligerem M. Anneium deque eo sic existimarem, ut res declarat, qui ultro ei detulerim legationem, cum multis petentibus denegassem, tum vero, postea quam mecum in bello atque in re militari fuit, tantam in eo virtutem, prudentiam, fidem tantamque erga me benevolentiam cognovi, ut hominem neminem pluris faciam.
For since I had already for a long time loved M. Anneius and had such an opinion of him, as the fact declares, since I voluntarily offered the lieutenancy to him though I had denied it to many petitioners, and then indeed, after he was with me in war and military service, I recognized in him such great virtue, prudence, fidelity, and such great goodwill toward me, that I value no man more highly.
Eum cum Sardianis habere controversiam scis.
You know that he has a controversy with the Sardians.
causam tibi exposuimus Ephesi; quam tu tamen coram facilius meliusque cognosces.
We explained the case to you at Ephesus; which, however, you will understand more easily and better in person.
§13.55.2de reliquo mihi me hercule diu dubium fuit quid ad te potissimum scriberem.
For the rest, by Hercules, it was for a long time doubtful to me what I should write to you in preference.
ius enim quem ad modum dicas clarum et magna cum tua laude notum est; nobis autem in hac causa nihil aliud opus est nisi te ius instituto tuo dicere.
For how you administer justice is clear and known with your great praise; moreover, we need nothing else in this case except that you administer justice according to your own custom.
sed tamen cum me non fugiat quanta' sit in praetore auctoritas, praesertim ista integritate, gravitate, clementia, qua te esse inter omnes constat, peto abs te pro nostra coniunctissima necessitudine plurimisque officiis paribus ac mutuis ut voluntate, auctoritate, studio tuo perficias ut M. Anneius intellegat te et sibi amicum esse (quod non dubitat;
But yet, since it does not escape me how great is the authority in a praetor, especially with that integrity, gravity, and clemency which it is agreed among all that you possess, I ask of you, by our most close intimacy and many equal and mutual services, that by your goodwill, authority, and zeal you bring it about that M.
saepe enim mecum locutus est) et multo amiciorem his meis litteris esse factum.
Anneius may understand that you are both a friend to him (which he does not doubt, for he has often spoken with me) and have been made a much greater friend by this letter of mine.
in tuo toto imperio atque provincia nihil est quod mihi gratius facere possis; nam apud ipsum gratissimum hominem atque optimum virum quam bene positurus sis studium tuum atque officium dubitare te non existimo.
In your whole command and province there is nothing that you can do more pleasing to me; for I do not think that you doubt how well you will place your zeal and service with him, a most grateful man and an excellent person.