I have just heard of your misfortune. Suffering anguish as I do when a single joint of yours aches, my master, what pain do you think I feel when it is your heart that aches? Under the shock of the news I could think of nothing else than to ask you to keep safe for me the sweetest of masters, in whom I find a greater solace for this life than you can find for your sorrow from any source.
I have not written with my own hand because after my bath in the evening even my hand was shaky. Farewell, my most delightful of masters.
On the loss of his Grandson1
165 A.D.
Fronto to Antoninus Augustus.