Epistle VIII. To Tranquillus.
by
the Same. [Mr. Henley]
[_]
On Solliciting for the Tribuneship.
IT is very agreeable to that Respect you pay me in other Affairs, to request with so much Zeal,
that the Office of Tribune, which I procur'd for you of Neratius Marcellus,
a Person of great Eminence, should be transfer'd to your Kinsman,
Cesennius Sylvanus. As it is very delightful to me, to see your self a
Tribune, so it is not less pleasing, to view another advanc'd to that Post by your Application.
For I do not in the least think it consistent to envy him the Regards of Duty (preferable to the greatest Honours) whom you are fond to distinguish.
For I observe, since it is a Point of Excellency to merit or to confer a good Office rightly,
that you will at once acquire the Praise of both, in allowing to others,
what your self have deserv'd. Besides, I understand it will be a Credit to my self,
when it is known by this Step of yours, that my Friends may not only be capable of bearing,
but of giving the Tribuneship. For this Reason, I am obedient to your honest Desire.
For the Name is not yet put in the Catalogue,
and therefore we are at our liberty to plant
Sylvanus in your stead;
and I would have your Present as grateful to him, as mine is to you.
