14 Pliny s Epistle to T. Vespasian. [BooK 1. 



I borrow of my Tent-fellow, Catullus (to this Term of Camps 1 

 you are no Stranger) : for he, as you know well, changing 

 the former Syllables of his Verses 2 , one for another, made 

 himself somewhat more harsh than he would seem to be 

 unto the fine Ears of his familiar Friends, the Veranioli and 

 Fabulli. And I would be thought by this my intrusive 

 Writing to you, to satisfy one point, which, as you com- 

 plained in your Answer of late to another bold Letter of 

 mine, I had not performed, that is, that all the World might 

 see (as it were upon Record) how the Empire is managed by 

 you and your Father equally : and notwithstanding this 

 Imperial Majesty whereunto you are called, yet is your 

 Manner of conversing with your old Friends affable, and 

 the same that always heretofore it had been. For although 

 you have triumphed with him for your noble Victories, ful- 

 filled the Office of Censor, and also six times that of Consul 3 , 

 shared the Authority of Tribune, Patrons, and Protectors of 

 the Commons of Rome, together with him : although, I say, 

 you have otherwise shewed your noble Heart in honouring 

 and gracing both the Court of the Emperor your Father, 

 and also the whole State of the Knights and Gentlemen of 

 Rome, whilst you were Captain of the Guard, and Grand 

 Master of his House and royal Palace (in all which Places 

 you demeaned yourself in respect to the Good of the Com- 

 monwealth), yet to all your Friends, and especially to my- 

 self, you have borne the same Countenance as in former 

 Times, when we served under the same Colours, and lodged 

 together in one Tent. In all the Greatness to which you are 

 elevated, there is no other Change seen in your Person but 

 this : That your Power is now commensurate with your Will, 

 and you are able now to perform that Good which you have 

 ever intended. 



1 Conterranewn. 



2 It seemeth that Pliny read thus in Catullus : 



" Tuputare namque, 

 Nugus esse aliquid meas solebas" 

 which, indeed, was but an hard composition and couching of the words. 



3 Sexies, or rather Septies; out of Suetonim. 



