Page:Correspondence of Marcus Cornelius Fronto volume 1 Haines 1919.djvu/359

 he comes from the neighbouring and friendly state of Hippo Regius ; Postumius Festus you cannot do wrong in electing as your patron in consideration of his character and eloquence, himself also a native of our province and of no distant state. Of these no ordinary patrons     as long as my strength and health were sound, our business   that our city has been established by the help of practised speakers and men in the prime of life   we should have a well-known man and a consular to be responsible for our public interests. I too, as I hope, while young and strong, played no obscure part in civil affairs. There are many other natives of Cirta also in the Senate, entitled to be called most eminent. The last honour is the greatest, three of your citizens   but it is better for you now sometimes

161 A.D.

To my master.

I have a serious complaint to make against you, my master, and yet that is not so great as my disappointment, that after so long a separation I did not embrace or speak to you, though you both came to the Palace and came when I had only just left the Lord my brother. You may be sure I gave my brother a 295

