I was so distressed in mind that I could not . . . . But on the receipt of your letter, the very fact that you had written with your own hand raised my hopes at the outset; then came your good news that after three days' fasting and a prompt and rather drastic letting of blood you had been freed from the risk of a threatened illness.1 So I breathed again and recovered and made my prayers at every hearth, altar, sacred grove and consecrated tree—for I was staying in the country. And now I am waiting to hear from your next letter how much the intervening days have done towards restoring your strength. For, indeed, much greater care and attention are required now, that you may fill your veins gradually and not be in too great a haste to repair your lost strength. For it is a belief verified and traditional that blood when in excess must be promptly drawn off, but must subsequently be regained by slow degrees.
I pray and beseech you, my Lord, take heed, as befits your eminent character, to be sparing and temperate and restrained2 in all your desires which now, after the abstinence which you have practised on a necessary occasion, must necessarily make themselves felt more keenly and more importunately than usual.
Greet my Lord your brother,3 whose health you will ensure if you are well. Farewell, most sweet Lord.
? 162 A.D.
Fronto to Velius Rufus Senex,4 greeting.