reason to thank you. For myself, I shall with zeal and care see to all that I think to be your wish or to concern your interests. Take care of your health. [Footnote 508: _Paludatum_, lit. dressed in the _paludamentum_, the military dress in which provincial governors left Rome with _imperium_.] [Footnote 509: _Notam_, some cipher, which he had agreed upon with Valerius to indicate that the _commendatio_ was not to be looked upon as a mere matter of course.] CXV (F XIII, 6 b) TO Q. VALERIUS ORCA (PROCONSUL IN AFRICA) ROME (MAY) [Sidenote: B.C. 56, ÆT. 50] P. Cornelius, who delivers you this letter, has been recommended to me by P. Cuspius, for whose sake you are thoroughly informed from me how much I desire and am bound to do. I earnestly beg you that Cuspius may have as great, early, and frequent occasion as possible to thank me for this introduction. CXVI (Q FR II, 6) TO HIS BROTHER QUINTUS (RETURNING FROM SARDINIA) ROME, MAY [Sidenote: B.C. 56, ÆT. 50] How delighted I was to get your letter! It had been expected by me at first, it is true, only with longing, but recently with alarm also. And, in fact, let me tell you that this is the only letter which has reached me since the one brought me by your sailor and dated Olbia. But let everything else, as you say, be reserved till we can talk it over together. One thing, however, I cannot put off: on the 15th of May the senate covered itself with glory by refusing Gabinius a _supplicatio_. Procilius[510] vows that such a slight was never inflicted on anyone. Out of doors there is much applause. To me, gratifying as it is on its own account, it is even more so because it was done when I was not in the house. For it was an unbiassed[511] judgment of the senate, without any attack or exercise of influence on my part. The debate previously arranged for the 15th and 16th, namely, the question of the Campanian land, did not come on. In this matter I don't quite see way.[512] But I have said more than I meant to say: for it is best reserved till we meet. Goodbye, best and most longed-for of brothers! Fly to me. Our boys both share my prayer: of course, you will dine with me the day of your arrival. [Footnote 510: One of the tribunes. He was convicted of _vis_ in B.C., 54. Gabinius was governor of Syria B.C. 57-54. He had been engaged in some warlike affairs in Iudæa, for which, or for some successes over the Arabs, he claimed the _supplicatio_.] [Footnote 511: εἰλικρινές, "pure," "clear."] [Footnote 512: _Mihi aqua hæret_, "there's a stoppage in my water course."] CXVII (A IV, 8 b) [Sidenote: B.C. 55. Coss., Cu. Pompeius Magnus, M. Licinius Crassus.]