Letter 6016: I foresaw the fear that news of my illness would cause you.

I foresaw what fear the report of my illness might strike into you, since rumor, which is wont to speak beyond the truth about those who are absent, seems not to have matched the magnitude of my danger even in the telling. And so, as soon as my health permitted me to compose a letter, I did not delay to soothe with my pen, among you, what I had believed to have been spread abroad; and although my earlier message would suffice to temper your anxiety, let a second attestation nonetheless go forward to assure you of my safety. Meanwhile, let me know about the arranging of my return—what plan you have adopted. For I confess that I am of a softer disposition after this crisis of my health, and that I can no longer urge you to prefer your leisure to my longing [for you].

Praevidi, quem metum vobis fama aegritudinis meae posset incutere, quae cum soleat supra vemm de absentibus loqui, magnitudinem periculi mei ne fando quidera 30 videtur aequasse. itaque ubi primum mihi formare litteras per valetudinem licuit, non distuli lenire apud vos stilo, quae vulgata credideram, et quamvis modificandae sollicitudini vestrae prior sermo sufficeret, ad fidem tamen securitatis adtestatio se- cunda proficiat. interea de ordinando reditu facite noverim. quid consilii ceperitis. fateor enim molliore me esse adfectione post discrimen salutis nec ulterius posse sua- 35 dere, ut desiderio meo vestrnm otium praeferatis. 11 C. Th. VIIII 42, 14 dat. id. Febr. Constantinopoli, Arcadio IIII et Honorio III AA. coss. 30 aeq/Z/se P 33 proflciet P2m, 158 SYMMACHI EPISTVLAE xvn (X vni) .