Latin Texts & Translations

CDLXIX (A XII, 5, §§ I, 2)

TO ATTICUS (AT ROME) TUSCULUM (JULY)

"Quintus the elder for the fourth time" ^[Note] (or rather for the thousandth time)——is a fool, for being rejoiced at his

son's appointment as a Lupercus, ^[Note] and at Statius ^[Note] —that he may see his family overwhelmed with a double dishonour! I may add a third in the person of Philotimus. What unparalleled folly, unless indeed mine can beat it! But what impudence to ask a subscription from you for such a purpose! ^[Note] Granted that he did not come to a "fount athirst," but a "Peirene" and a "holy well-spring of Alphaeus " ^[Note] —to drain you as though you were a fountain, as you say, and that, too, at a time when you are so seriously embarrassed! ^[Note] Where will such conduct end? But that's his affair. I am much pleased with my Cato : ^[Note] but so is Lucilius Bassus with his compositions.