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pressed, there is a third option, which neither Selicius^[1] nor I were disposed to reject, and that is that we should neither permit the cause of the king to languish, nor, in defiance of our resistance, to be put in the hands of one to whom it is thought to have been already practically assigned.^[2]

In all I do I shall be very careful to arrange that we shall not fail to make a struggle for whatever position can be held, while if there be any position we have found untenable, we shall avoid the appearance of defeat.

⁴ Wise and high-minded as you are, you will not forget that the foundations of all your greatness and distinction are your personal worth, your achievements, and the solidity of your character; and that if the gifts which fortune has bestowed upon you suffer any diminution through the treachery of a few individuals, it will do more harm to them than to you. In thought or deed I miss no opportunity of promoting your interests, and in whatever I do, I avail myself of the services of Q. Selicius, and in my opinion there is no one of your friends who has more commoon sense, integrity, or affection for yourself.

¹ As to what is being done and has been done at Rome, I expect you are being apprised by the letters of your numerous correspondents or by oral messages;