1You seize most eagerly the opportunities to oblige me, and there is no one to whom I am more glad to be indebted. 2For two reasons, then, I have decided to ask you above all others for something I very much want to obtain. 2You command a very large army: hence you have ample material for kindnesses, and a long time besides in which you have been able to advance your friends. 2Turn to mine, and these not many. 3You would indeed prefer many; 3but for my modesty one or two is enough, or rather one. 4That will be Voconius Romanus. 4His father was distinguished in the equestrian order, his stepfather more so, or rather his second father – for he succeeded to this name too by his devotion –, and his mother is from one of the leading families.
4He himself was recently flamen of Nearer Spain – you know the judgement of that province, how great its seriousness is. 5When we studied together I loved him closely and intimately; 5he was my companion in the city, my companion in retreat, with him I shared serious matters, with him jokes. 6For what could be more loyal as a friend than he, or more delightful as a companion? 6There is a wonderful charm in his conversation, a wonderful charm even in his voice and face. 7Besides, he has a talent lofty, subtle, pleasing, ready, and skilled in pleading cases; 7and he writes letters such that you would think the Muses themselves were speaking Latin.
7He is loved by me very much, and yet he is not outdone. 8For my part, as a young man I at once conferred on him, also young, as much as I could at that age, most eagerly, and recently I obtained for him from our excellent emperor the right of three children; 8and though the emperor granted this sparingly and with discrimination, he granted it to me as if he had chosen the man himself. 9These kindnesses of mine I can protect in no better way than by adding to them, especially since he receives them so gratefully that, while he accepts the earlier ones, he earns the later.
10You have, then, what sort of man he is, how esteemed and dear to me, and I ask you to advance him as your judgement and your fortune allow. 10Above all, love the man; 10for although you may bestow on him the greatest thing you can, you can bestow nothing greater than your friendship; 10and so that you might know better that he is capable of it even to the closest intimacy, I have briefly sketched for you his studies, his character, in short his whole life. 11I would extend my entreaties if you did not dislike being asked at length and if I had not been doing it in this whole letter; 11for he asks, and asks most effectively, who gives the reasons for asking.
11Farewell.