1You really ought not to commend to me with a hesitant hand those whom you think deserve protection. 1For it becomes you to help many, and me to take up whatever concerns your interest. 2So I shall do as much as ever I can for Bittius Priscus, especially in my own arena, that is, before the Centumviral Court. 3You bid me forget the letters which, as you say, you wrote to me 'with an open heart'; 3but there are none that I remember more gladly. 3For from them above all I feel how greatly you love me, since you have dealt with me as you used to deal with your own son.
4Nor do I hide that they were the more pleasant to me for this, that I had a good case, since I had taken the greatest pains over what you wished to be taken care of. 5Therefore I ask again and again that you always rebuke me with the same frankness whenever I seem to be slack — 'seem', I say, for I shall never be slack — a rebuke which I shall understand comes from the greatest love, and which you will rejoice that I did not deserve. 5Farewell.