Letter 6014: We would like the Senate's distinguished chamber to be filled by its own natural increase, and for its offspring to...

14. FORMULA CONCERNING THOSE WHO ARE TO BE ENROLLED IN THE SENATE. [1] We desire indeed that the court of the most ample Senate be filled by its natural fruitfulness, and that its offspring grow only so far as (which is the most difficult kind of greed) it may seem to satisfy the wishes of its parents. But it belongs to one who loves too little not to seek something more, from which he might be able to augment so great a number. The diligent farmer, by acting beforehand, assists the rain of heaven, and waters his seedbeds before they earn the longed-for showers. Indeed, striving also to improve the produce of trees, he establishes the breedings of a different shoot, so that, with the sweetness of the fruits multiplied, he may sow upon his gardens the adornment of variety. Thus we desire to enclose the most delightful praises of the virtues within the girdle of Gabinius, so that a foreign shoot, bound together by the embrace of favor, may grow into the ways of the court. [2] But this cultivation is far different. For into trees is grafted what is judged better: to them foreign things come, that they may rather grow sweet from the sweetness of those grafts. But to you they are offered so that rustic things may make progress. For although fire shines back by night, yet when set before the sun it is dark: hence it is that nothing outstanding can be brought to that order except what is proved to be increased through that order itself. And therefore let the light of the Senate receive him who is conspicuous in the splendor of his birth and prudently kindled with the warmth of talent. For up to now he has been distinguished by his own merits: but now he will be radiant through your conspicuousness. [3] Open the court, receive the candidate: he is already predestined for the Senate, upon whom we have conferred the dignity of the broad stripe [the laticlave, the senatorial purple stripe]. It is necessary that the public fathers be kindly, because this title owes itself not so much to its own offspring as to the general zeal and wish.

XIIII. FORMULA DE HIS QUI REFERENDI SUNT IN SENATU. [1] Optamus quidem curiam senatus amplissimi naturali fecunditate compleri subolemque eius tantum crescere, ut (quod difficillimum aviditatis genus est) parentum videatur vota satiare. sed minus amantis est non amplius aliquid quaerere, unde tantum numerum possit augere. agricola diligens praeveniendo adiuvat imbrem caelestem et ante rigat plantaria, quam pluvias mereantur optatas. arborum quin etiam fetus meliorare contendens diversi germinis feturas instituit, ut multiplicata dulcedine fructuum hortis suis conserat varietatis ornatum. sic nos virtutum iucundissimas laudes in cinctum Gabini desideramus includere, ut germen alienum amplexu gratiae colligatum curiae moribus inolescat. [2] Sed haec cultura longe dissimilis est. arboribus enim quod melius putatur inseritur: ad illas peregrina veniunt, ut de illorum potius suavitate dulcescant. vobis autem, ut agrestia proficiant, offeruntur. nam quamvis ignis nocte reluceat, soli tamen praesentatus obscurus est: hinc est quod ad illum ordinem nihil potest eximium deferri, nisi quod per ipsum probatur augeri. et ideo illum natalium splendore conspicuum et ingenii calore prudenter accensum senatus lumen excipiat. hactenus enim fuit suis meritis clarus: sed iam erit de vestra conspicuitate perlucidus. [3] Pandite curiam, suscipite candidatum: iam senatui praedestinatus est, cui nos contulimus laticlaviam dignitatem. benignos esse necesse est publicos patres, quia hoc vocabulum non tantum suo debet germini quantum studio votoque generali.