Letter 4025: If I may say so, we no longer lack a supply of chariot horses for the games — but the delay in the praetorship spurs...

If I may say so, we no longer lack a supply of chariot horses for the games — but the delay in the praetorship spurs our desire for still greater numbers. If, as usual, the execution of my request brings you pleasure, I ask that you select four horses from the herd and send them to me. I know I am not the easiest of friends to satisfy when it comes to the spectacles, but you have always shown the most generous patience with my demands. The praetorian games [public games given by the praetor, a major Roman magistrate] must do credit to our family's name, and your help in this is indispensable. Farewell.

10 Fas sit dicere, equorum curulium copm iam non egemus ; sed incitat nos praeturae mora ad desiderium numeri largioris. si igitur dulcis est, ut solet, mandati mei exe- cutio, quattuor ex grege Laudicianorum quadrigas, quas tua defloret electio, ad me opto deduci, cum primum mare navigatio vema patefecerit. ego pretium, quod signa- verint litterae tuae, in rem missis renumerabo. quamquam hoc spondere non debui, is 2 quia fides amicitiae syngrapham non requirit. credo mireris, cur non potius de gre- gibus tuis postulem, qui potissimos Hiberomm nobilitate praevertunt. fastidium patitur uniformis spectaculi civitas nostra, cuius satietas mihi varietate vincenda est. tuae modo diligentiae sit adhibere iudicium et ex alienis stabulis aequare laudem tuomm. nam cum res amici agitur, hos quoque proprios debes putare, quos eligis. 20 LXmi (LX V) .