1Nymphidius Lupus, sir, a chief centurion, was my fellow soldier when I was a tribune and he a prefect: from that time I began to feel a close affection for him. 1Afterwards that affection grew with the length of our mutual friendship. 2And so I laid hands on his retirement and insisted that he help me with his advice in Bithynia. 2This he has done and will continue to do in the friendliest way, setting aside the claims of his leisure and his old age. 3For these reasons I count his relatives among my own, his son above all, Nymphidius Lupus, an upright, hard-working young man, most worthy of his excellent father, who will prove equal to your indulgence, as you can learn from his first trials, since as prefect of a cohort he earned the fullest testimony of Julius Ferox and Fuscus Salinator, most distinguished men.
3You will crown my joy, sir, and my rejoicing with the son's advancement.