Chapter text=A:book=12:letter=5.1-2

TO ATTICUS (AT ROME) TUSCULUM (JULY)

"Quintus the elder for the fourth time" (or rather for the thousandth time)——is a fool, for being rejoiced at his son's appointment as a Lupercus, and at Statius —that he may see his family overwhelmed with a double dishonour! I may add a third in the person of Philotimus. What unparalleled folly, unless indeed mine can beat it! But what impudence to ask a subscription from you for such a purpose! Granted that he did not come to a "fount athirst," but a "Peirene" and a "holy well-spring of Alphaeus " —to drain you as though you were a fountain, as you say, and that, too, at a time when you are so seriously embarrassed!

Where will such conduct end? But that's his affair. I am much pleased with my Cato: but so is Lucilius Bassus with his compositions.