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glory of your former position awaiting you inimpaired.

¹ You will be told what is going on here by Pollio,^[1] who has not only taken part, but taken a leading part, in every transaction. As for myself, amid the profound sorrow your affairs cause me, what comforts me most, I would have you know, is a hope, nay, a strong presentiment, that the unscrupulous conduct of your foes will be crushingly countered, not only by the shrewd suggestions of your friends, but also by the action of time itself, which weakens the machinations of those who hate, and would betray you.

² In the second place, I find it easy to console myself by recalling the dangers in my own life, a reflection of which I recognize in your present circumstances; for though your high position is dishonoured in a less important matter than that in which mine was brought low, still the resemblance is so close, that I trust you are not offended with me if I have shown no fear of what even you yourself have never considered worth fearing. But prove yourself to be the man I have ever known you to be "from the days" as as the Greeks say "when your finger-nails were tender,"^[2] and, take my word for it, the injustice of men will but serve as a foil to your greatness. Look to me for every evidence of the highest devotion and dutifulness to yourself, and I shall not disappoint you.