Latin Texts & Translations

CMVII (F XI, 22)

TO DECIMUS BRUTUS (AT CULARO?) ROME, 6 JULY

I have a friendship with Appius Claudius, son of Gaius, founded on many good services on his part and correspond

ing ones on mine. I ask you with more than usual earnestness, for the sake either of your own kindness or for mine, that you determine that his safety shall be secured by your influence. I wish you, as you are known to be the most gallant of men, to be considered also the most merciful. It will be a great feather in your cap that a young man of the highest rank has been restored by your favour. His claim ought to be all the stronger from the fact that it was from filial feeling that he joined Antony in gratitude for his father's restitution. wherefore, though you will have an excuse to plead that is not entirely sound, yet you will be able to bring one forward that at 'east is plausible. Your nod can retain in the fu;l rights of citizenship a man of the highest birth, of the greatest ability, and one besides who is full of kindness and gratitude. I ask you to do this with a heartfelt earnest-ness beyond which I cannot go in making any request.