Written by his own hand, Drakus Domitius Cordatus replies to the invitation for dinner from his friend Lucius Aurelius Cota. The message is delivered by a very attractive slave girl, along with a guard. The slave girl is told to make herself at the disposal of Cota, until he sees fit to release her from service. The reply to the message is to be sent back using the guard.

I must apologize for my tardiness in replying to your invitation for dinner. Please accept my explanation that with the recent problems in Roma, and an illness which left me slightly debilitated, I was in no condition to accept your invitation. I do so gladly now accept and look forward to such an engagement. I will await the date, time and circumstances of the dinner.

Drakus Domitius Cordatus