Letter 10011: A poet of real quality has appeared among the younger men of the senatorial class; I draw your attention to him...

Although I suppose that my letter has been outstripped by messengers or by rumor — for what, my lords emperors, can be swifter than report? — I nevertheless, compelled by the necessity of my public office, do not pass over in silence the death of an illustrious man, while the grief is still raw. The fates have snatched away Vettius Praetextatus [Vettius Agorius Praetextatus, the eminent pagan senator and prefect], a man equal to the men of old in all the virtues, to the utmost lamentation of the fatherland, upon which he conferred signal distinction. His praises and the just proclamations of his merit I pass over, in the consternation of my spirit; for there is no room for anyone's testimony, since the judgments of your Clemency bear witness to the glory of his life, and the grief of all has made his death renowned.