DCCCXXVIII (F XII, 29)
TO QUINTUS CORNIFICIUS (IN
AFRICA)
ROME
NOT you only, who are most intimately
acquainted with all my concerns, but nobody in all
Rome I think is ignorant of the great friendship
existing between me and Lucius Lamia. For it was
displayed before a large audience at the time of
his being banished from the city 1 by the
consul Aulus Gabinius for having supported my
recall with freedom and courage. Nor was that the
first origin of our affection, but it was just
because of its long standing and depth that he did
not hesitate to confront any danger on my behalf.
To these acts of kindness, or, as I should rather
call them, these claims upon my
gratitude, an intimate intercourse is to be added,
so exceedingly charming, that there is literally
no one in whom I take more delight. I do not
suppose in these circumstances that you are at a
loss to imagine what the terms of my commendation
of him will be. For you know well what words are
the natural expression of such a strong affection.
Consider me to have employed them all. I would
merely wish to assure you that if you support
Lamia's business, agents, freedmen, or slaves in
anything whatever that they may require, you will
be obliging me more than if that kindness of yours
had affected my own property. Nor do I doubt that
even without a recommendation from me
you—who are so excellent a judge of
men—are certain to do everything with
enthusiasm for Lamia's own sake. However, I have
been told that you think Lamia assisted in drawing
up some senatorial decree 2 which militated
against your position. But the fact is, he did not
assist in drawing up any decree whatever in that
consulship. 3 In the next place, all kinds of bogus
decrees were at that time being deposited in the
aerarium, 4 unless you should
actually suppose that I assisted in drawing up
that decree about Sempronius 5 —though I
wasn't even in town, as I told you in my letter
about it at the time just after it occurred. But
enough of this. I beg you repeatedly, my dear
Cornificius, to look upon all business of Lamia's
as mine, and take pains to make him understand
that this commendation has been of great service
to him. You cannot oblige me more. Take care of
your health.
ROME
