If you don't mind lying on Archias's couches, if you aren't afraid of a meatless dinner served in dishes of modest circumference, then I expect you as my guest, Torquatus, at home, at sunset. You'll drink wine that was drawn off in Taurus's second, between marshy Minturnae and Petrinum-under-Sinuessa. If you have a better one send it over: otherwise, obey. The hearth is already gleaming, the furniture is ready dusted for you. Forget unfaithful Hope and your hunt for money and your Moschus case. Tomorrow, being Caesar's birthday, one may sleep and be forgiven. We can prolong this summer night with pleasant talk and there will be no penalty. Well, what good is luck if you don't use it? ... I am the best man to ensure – and I will – that no stained cover and no dirty napkin is going to wrinkle your nose; that you can see your face in every cup and every plate; that no one will repeat, outside, what is said among trusted friends; that neighbour is well matched to neighbour. I shall get Butra for you, and Septicius; Sabinus as well, unless a prior commitment or a better girl prevents him. There's room for some ‘shadows', but it is a very small dining room: smelly goats not wanted. Write me back how many you're bringing, forget your business, avoid your client in the hall, come by the back door.
Horace, Epistles 1.5 "To Torquatus". Translation partly published in Andrew Dalby, Empire of Pleasures (Routledge, 2000) p. 256
Si potes Archiacis conuiua recumbere lectis
nec modica cenare times holus omne patella,
supremo te sole domi, Torquate, manebo.
Vina bibes iterum Tauro diffusa palustris
inter Minturnas Sinuessanumque Petrinum.
Si melius quid habes, arcesse uel imperium fer.
Iamdudum splendet focus et tibi munda supellex.
Mitte leuis spes et certamina diuitiarum
et Moschi causam; cras nato Caesare festus
dat ueniam somnumque dies; impune licebit
aestiuam sermone benigno tendere noctem.
Quo mihi fortunam, si non conceditur uti?
Parcus ob heredis curam nimiumque seuerus
adsidet insano; potare et spargere flores
incipiam patiarque uel inconsultus haberi.
Quid non ebrietas dissignat? Operta recludit,
spes iubet esse ratas, ad proelia trudit inertem,
sollicitis animis onus eximit, addocet artis.
Fecundi calices quem non fecere disertum,
contracta quem non in parpertate solutum?
Haec ego procurare et idoneus imperor et non
inuitus, ne turpe toral, ne sordida mappa
conruget naris, ne non et cantharus et lanx
ostendat tibi te, ne fidos inter amicos
sit qui dicta foras eliminet, ut coeat par
iungaturque pari. Butram tibi Septiciumque,
et nisi cena prior potiorque puella Sabinum
detinet, adsumam. Locus est et pluribus umbris,
sed nimis arta premunt olidae conuiuia caprae.
Tu quotus esse uelis rescribe, et rebus omissis
atria seruantem postico falle clientem.