Letter 9030: At the point of death, she begged me — both in person and by letter, with the most urgent prayers — to obtain a...

[...] he beseeched me at the last extremity, both in my presence and by letter, with the most urgent prayers, that, once the authority of an imperial rescript had been obtained, his daughter might be joined in marriage to the son of his brother; and clear precedents attest that this has been granted to many. Therefore I cannot deny my support to his dutiful supplication, since the will of a dying kinsman has bound my good faith with regard to this marriage, as the letter joined to his prayers makes plain. Deign, then, to assist the fulfillment of his dutiful wish to this extent: that, if anyone should attempt to disturb the father's instruction, he may be deterred by the threat of public disgrace. And when the favor of the rescript has been obtained, let a bearer of proven good faith convey it. Farewell. CXXXIIII (XII. VIII). The common cause deserves your aid; for whatever pertains to senatorial obligations must be carried through with shared resources and united resolve. Aid, therefore, with the authority that is fitting, the interests and accounts belonging to the most distinguished senate-house, and you will gain much praise from this business, if you restore the duties of our order, which it is plain have long been faltering, the payment having been demanded from those who are liable. CXXXV (XIII. VIII), in the year 399–400. Fortune has looked kindly upon our advancement, in willing to bring you forward to the governorship of Apulia. Make use, then, of the opportunity to be of service, and toward the praetorship of our house, to which happily [...]

retur extremis et praesentem me et per epistulam summis precibus obsecravit, ut im- petrata sacri auctoritate rescripti filia eius fratris sui filio copuletur; quod multis 20 esse concessum manifesta testantur exempla. quare piae supplicationi adiumentum 2 meum negare non possum, quoniam fidem meam super his nuptiis voluntas propinqui morientis adstrinxit, ut epistula precibus conexa declarat. dignare igitur iuvare effectum pii desiderii eatenus, ut si quis conturbare temptaverit mandatum patemum, comminatione infamiae terreatur. rescripti autem beneficium cum fnerit impetratum, 25 spectatae fidei perlator adportet. vale. cxxxmi (xn. viu) . Meretur auxilium tuum causa communis; nam quidquid ad senatorias pertinet n fnnctiones, participata ope et coniuncta animositate peragendum est. iuva igitur auctoritate, qua dignnm est, partes atque rationes ad amplissimam curiam pertinentes, ao multum ex hoc negotio laudis habiturus , si munia ordinis nostri , quae iamdudum fluctuare manifestum est, solntio ab obnoxiis efflagitata reparaverit. CXXXV (Xm. VUU) a. 399—400. Editioni nostrae fortuna consuluit, quae te regendae Apuliae voluit admovere. F utere igitur occasione praestandi et ad praeturam domus nostrae, ad quam feliciter 6 his (i7)«