Quintus Aurelius Symmachus → destinatário desconhecido

A matter dear to my heart requires your help: my son's games are approaching, and we need to secure noble horses of curule quality. To that end, I've sent trusted men to Spain with ample funds to purchase the finest teams, selected with the greatest care. But I'm worried that winter weather may block the horses' passage. I ask you, then, if the need arises, to order three or four months' worth of fodder provided from your own stores for however many horses there are, so that they can travel comfortably once the weather turns mild. Furthermore, I ask you to assist my agents in purchasing any horses of outstanding speed and breeding they may find in the city of Arles — one should seize the opportunity of buying nearby if something exceptional turns up. My lasting gratitude is guaranteed if your brotherly care, as I hope, contributes to the success of our long-wished-for games. Farewell.