What greater blessing could a nurse solicit for her beloved child, than that he might be wise, and able to express his sentiments; and that respect, reputation, health might happen to him in abundance, and decent living, with a never-failing purse?

In the midst of hope and care, in the midst of fears and disquietudes, think every day that shines upon you is the last. [Thus] the hour, which shall not be expected, will come upon you an agreeable addition.

When you have a mind to laugh, you shall see me fat and sleek with good keeping, a hog of Epicurus’ herd.

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EPISTLE V.

TO TORQUATUS.

He invites him to a frugal entertainment, but a cleanly and cheerful one.

If you can repose yourself as my guest upon Archias’ couches, and are not afraid to make a whole meal on all sorts of herbs from a moderate dish; I will expect you, Torquatus, at my house about sun set.  You shall drink wine poured into the vessel in the second consulship of Taurus, produced between the fenny Minturnae and Petrinum of Sinuessa.  If you have any thing better, send for it; or bring your commands.  Bright shines my hearth, and my furniture is clean for you already.  Dismiss airy hopes, and contests about riches, and Moschus’ cause.  To-morrow, a festal day on account of Caesar’s birth, admits of indulgence and repose.  We shall have free liberty to prolong the summer evening with friendly conversation.  To what purpose have I fortune, if I may not use it?  He that is sparing out of regard to his heir, and too niggardly, is next neighbor to a madman.  I will begin to drink and scatter flowers, and I will endure even to be accounted foolish.  What does not wine freely drunken enterprise?  It discloses secrets; commands our hopes to be ratified; pushes the dastard on to the fight; removes the pressure from troubled minds; teaches the arts.  Whom have not plentiful cups made eloquent?  Whom have they not [made] free and easy under pinching poverty?

I, who am both the proper person and not unwilling, am charged to take care of these matters; that no dirty covering on the couch, no foul napkin contract your nose into wrinkles; and that the cup and the dish may show you to yourself; that there be no one to carry abroad what is said among faithful friends; that equals may meet and be joined with equals I will add to you Butra, and Septicius, and Sabinus, unless a better entertainment and a mistress more agreeable detain him.  There is room also for many introductions:  but goaty ramminess is offensive in over-crowded companies.

Do you write word, what number you would be; and setting aside business, through the back-door give the slip to your client who keeps guard in your court.

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EPISTLE VI.