Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 46 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
Clear up the matter of the dowry all the more thoroughly. Balbus's terms for the transfer of the debt are princely. Settle it one way or another; it is shameful to let a tangled affair lie unresolved. The island at Arpinum could make a genuine apotheōsis [a place of deification, a retreat fit for a god]; but I am afraid that retiring to such a remote spot [ektopismos] might seem to show too little regard for honor [timē]. My mind, then, is set on the suburban gardens; still, I will inspect them when I come. [2] As for Epicurus, do as you wish; though I shall change my approach [metharmosomai]. In the future I shall handle this class of characters differently. It is incredible how certain people miss those works of mine. So, back to the ancient writers; for there is nothing to reproach in that [anemesēton]. I have nothing to write to you about, but even so I have made it my practice to send something every day, in order to draw out a letter from you in turn -- not that I expect anything from your letters, but somehow I expect it all the same. So whether you have something to say or have nothing, write me something anyway, and look after yourself.
I am upset about Attica, though I agree with Craterus. Brutus' letter,
though full of wise saws and friendliness, drew from me many tears. This
solitude stirs my grief less than your crowded city. You are the only
person I miss; but I find no more difficulty about my literary work than
if I were at home. Still the old anguish oppresses me and will not leave
me, though I give you my word I do not give way to it, but fight against
it.
As to what you say about Appuleius, I don't think you need exert
yourself, or trouble Balbus and Oppius. He has promised them and told
them to let me know that he will not bother me at all. But take care
that my plea of ill-health is put in every day. Laenas promised to
certify. Add C. Septimius, and L. Statilius. Indeed anyone you ask will
pass his word for it. But if there is any difficulty, I will come and
swear myself to chronic ill-health. Since I am going to miss the
banquets, I would rather seem to do so according to the rules than
on account of grief. Please dun Cocceius. He hasn't fulfilled his
promise: and I am wanting to buy a hiding-place and a refuge for my
sorrow.
de dote tanto magis perpurga. Balbi regia condicio est delegandi. quoquo modo confice. turpe est rem impeditam iacere. Insula Arpinas habere potest germanam a)poqe/wsin ; sed vereor ne minorem timh\n habere videatur e)ktopismo/j . est igitur animus in hortis; quos tamen inspiciam cum venero. [2] de Epicuro, ut voles; etsi meqarmo/somai . in posterum genus hoc personarum. incredibile est quam ea quidam requirant. ad antiquos igitur; a)neme/shton ga/r . nihil habeo ad te quod scribam, sed tamen institui cotidie mittere ut eliciam tuas litteras, non quo aliquid ex iis exspectem sed nescio quo modo tamen exspecto. qua re sive habes quid sive nil habes, scribe tamen aliquid teque cura.
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Clear up the matter of the dowry all the more thoroughly. Balbus's terms for the transfer of the debt are princely. Settle it one way or another; it is shameful to let a tangled affair lie unresolved. The island at Arpinum could make a genuine apotheōsis [a place of deification, a retreat fit for a god]; but I am afraid that retiring to such a remote spot [ektopismos] might seem to show too little regard for honor [timē]. My mind, then, is set on the suburban gardens; still, I will inspect them when I come. [2] As for Epicurus, do as you wish; though I shall change my approach [metharmosomai]. In the future I shall handle this class of characters differently. It is incredible how certain people miss those works of mine. So, back to the ancient writers; for there is nothing to reproach in that [anemesēton]. I have nothing to write to you about, but even so I have made it my practice to send something every day, in order to draw out a letter from you in turn -- not that I expect anything from your letters, but somehow I expect it all the same. So whether you have something to say or have nothing, write me something anyway, and look after yourself.
AI-assisted translation - This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.
Latin / Greek Original
de dote tanto magis perpurga. Balbi regia condicio est delegandi. quoquo modo confice. turpe est rem impeditam iacere. Insula Arpinas habere potest germanam a)poqe/wsin ; sed vereor ne minorem timh\n habere videatur e)ktopismo/j . est igitur animus in hortis; quos tamen inspiciam cum venero. [2] de Epicuro, ut voles; etsi meqarmo/somai . in posterum genus hoc personarum. incredibile est quam ea quidam requirant. ad antiquos igitur; a)neme/shton ga/r . nihil habeo ad te quod scribam, sed tamen institui cotidie mittere ut eliciam tuas litteras, non quo aliquid ex iis exspectem sed nescio quo modo tamen exspecto. qua re sive habes quid sive nil habes, scribe tamen aliquid teque cura.