§13.6.1S. v. b. e. v.
If you are well, it is well; I am well.
credo te memoria tenere me et coram P. Cuspio tecum locutum esse, cum te prosequerer paludatum, et item postea pluribus verbis tecum egisse ut, quoscumque tibi eius necessarios commendarem, haberes eos in numero meorum necessariorum.
I believe that you remember that I spoke with you in the presence of Publius Cuspius when I escorted you as you set out wearing your military cloak, and likewise that afterwards I entreated you in more words that, whomever of his close friends I might recommend to you, you would hold them among the number of my own close friends.
id tu pro tua summa erga me benevolentia perpetuaque observantia mihi liberalissime atque humanissime recepisti.
This you, in accordance with your supreme goodwill and constant respect toward me, most generously and kindly promised to me.
§13.6.2Cuspius, homo in omnis suos officiosissimus, mirifice quosdam homines ex ista provincia tuetur et diligit, propterea quod fuit in Africa bis, cum maximis societatis negotiis praeesset.
Cuspius, a man most dutiful toward all his friends, wonderfully protects and loves certain men from that province of yours, because he was in Africa twice, when he presided over the greatest business of the tax-farming company.
itaque hoc eius officium, quod adhibetur erga illos, ego mea facultate et gratia soleo quantum possum adiuvare.
Therefore, I am accustomed to assist this duty of his, which is directed toward them, as much as I can with my own resources and influence.
qua re Cuspianorum omnium commendationis causam hac tibi epistula exponendam putavi, reliquis epistulis tantum faciam ut notam apponam eam, quae mihi tecum convenit, et simul significem de numero esse Cuspi amicorum;
For this reason, I thought that the cause of the recommendation of all of Cuspius's friends should be explained to you in this letter; in the remaining letters, I will only make sure to attach that mark which has been agreed between me and you, and at the same time indicate that they are of the number of Cuspius's friends.
§13.6.3sed hanc commendationem quam his litteris consignare volui, scito esse omnium gravissimam; nam P. Cuspius singulari studio contendit a me ut tibi quam diligentissime L. Iulium commendarem.
But as for this recommendation, which I wished to seal with this letter, know that it is the weightiest of all; for P. Cuspius with singular zeal strove with me that I should recommend Lucius Julius to you as diligently as possible.
eius ego studio vix videor mihi satis facere posse, si utar verbis iis, quibus, cum diligentissime quid agimus, uti solemus; nova quaedam postulat et putat me eius generis artificium quoddam tenere.
I seem to myself hardly able to satisfy his zeal, if I should use those words which we are accustomed to use when we do something most diligently; he demands something new and thinks that I possess a certain art of this kind.
ei ego pollicitus sum me ex intima nostra arte deprompturum mirificum genus commendationis.
I promised him that I would draw from our innermost art a wonderful kind of recommendation.
§13.6.4id quoniam adsequi non possum, tu re velim efficias ut ille genere mearum litterarum incredibile quiddam perfectum arbitretur.
Since I cannot attain this, I would wish that you in fact bring it about that he thinks some incredible thing has been accomplished by the style of my letter.
id facies, si omne genus liberalitatis, quod et ab humanitate et potestate tua proficisci poterit, non modo re sed etiam verbis, vultu denique exprompseris; quae quantum in provincia valeant vellem expertus esse, sed tamen suspicor.
This you will do, if you display every kind of generosity that can proceed from both your humanity and your power, not only in fact but also in words, and finally in your expression; how much these things avail in a province I would wish to have experienced, but yet I suspect.
ipsum hominem, quem tibi commendo, perdignum esse tua amicitia, non solum quia mihi Cuspius dicit, credo, tametsi id satis esse debebat, sed quia novi eius iudicium in hominibus et amicis deligendis.
I believe that the man himself whom I recommend to you is thoroughly worthy of your friendship, not only because Cuspius tells me so—although that ought to be enough—but because I know his judgment in choosing men and friends.
§13.6.5harum litterarum vis quanta fuerit propediem iudicabo tibique, ut confido, gratias agam.
How great the force of this letter has been I shall judge very soon, and, as I trust, I will express my gratitude to you.
ego quae te velle quaeque ad te pertinere arbitrabor, omnia studiose diligenterque curabo.
For my part, whatever I shall think you wish and whatever I think concerns you, I will care for all of it zealously and diligently.
cura ut valeas.
Take care that you remain well.