Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 46 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
As for Terentia, in laying the whole burden on me, you fail to recognize your usual kindness toward me. For these are precisely the wounds that I cannot handle without the deepest groaning. So manage it, I beg you, as best you can. For I ask of you nothing beyond what you can do. [2] And indeed you alone can discern where the truth lies. Since you seem to be in doubt about Rutilia, write to me when you know—but as soon as possible—and also whether Clodia outlived her son Decimus Brutus, the ex-consul, after his death. That can be learned from Marcellus, or at any rate from Postumia; the other matter from Marcus Cotta, or from Syrus, or from Satyrus. [3] About the gardens [horti, the suburban pleasure-estate Cicero wished to buy], I ask you again and again. I must strain every resource of my own and of those whom I know will not fail me—though I shall be able to manage with my own. There are also things I could easily sell. But even without selling, and paying interest to the man from whom I buy for no more than a year, I can attain what I want, if you help me. The estate of Drusus is most readily available, for he is eager to sell. Next, I think, comes Lamia's; but he is away. Still, if you can do anything, sniff it out. Not even Silius makes any use of his, and it could very easily be carried by the interest. Take this business of mine in hand—and do not consider what my finances require, which I disregard, but what I want and why I want it.
I am glad Silius has settled the business: for I did not want to fail
him and was afraid I might not be able to manage it. Settle about Ovia
as you say. As to my son it seems high time now; but I want to know
whether he can get a draft for his allowance changed at Athens or
whether he must take it with him; and as regards the whole matter please
consider how and when you think he ought to go. Whether Publilius is
going to Africa and when, you can find out from Aledius. Please enquire
and let me know. And, to return to my own nonsense, please inform me
whether P. Crassus, the son of Venuleia, died in the lifetime of his
father, P. Crassus the ex-consul, as I seem to remember, or after his
death. I also want to know whether my recollection is right that
Regillus, son of Lepidus, died in his father's lifetime. You must settle
the business about Cispius and Precius. As to Attica, bravo! Pay my
respects to her and to Pilia.
de Terentia quod mihi omne onus imponis, non cognosco tuam in me indulgentiam. ista enim sunt ipsa vulnera quae non possum tractare sine maximo gemitu. moderare igitur, quaeso, ut potes. neque enim a te plus quam potes postulo. [2] potes autem quid veri sit perspicere tu unus. de Rutilia quoniam videris dubitare, scribes ad me cum scies sed quam primum, et num Clodia D. Bruto consulari filio suo mortuo vixerit. id de Marcello aut certe de Postumia sciri potest, illud autem de M. Cotta aut de Syro aut de satyro. [3] de hortis etiam atque etiam rogo. omnibus meis eorumque quos scio mihi non defuturos facultatibus (sed potero meis) enitendum mihi est. sunt etiam quae vendere facile possim. sed ut non vendam eique usuram pendam a quo emero non plus annum, possum adsequi quod volo, si tu me adiuvas. paratissimi sunt Drusi; cupit enim vendere. proximos puto Lamiae; sed abest. tu tamen, si quid potes, odorare. ne Silius quidem quicquam utitur et ust usuris facillime sustentabitur. habe tuum negotium nec quid res mea familiaris postulet quam ego non curo sed quid velim et cur velim existima.
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As for Terentia, in laying the whole burden on me, you fail to recognize your usual kindness toward me. For these are precisely the wounds that I cannot handle without the deepest groaning. So manage it, I beg you, as best you can. For I ask of you nothing beyond what you can do. [2] And indeed you alone can discern where the truth lies. Since you seem to be in doubt about Rutilia, write to me when you know—but as soon as possible—and also whether Clodia outlived her son Decimus Brutus, the ex-consul, after his death. That can be learned from Marcellus, or at any rate from Postumia; the other matter from Marcus Cotta, or from Syrus, or from Satyrus. [3] About the gardens [horti, the suburban pleasure-estate Cicero wished to buy], I ask you again and again. I must strain every resource of my own and of those whom I know will not fail me—though I shall be able to manage with my own. There are also things I could easily sell. But even without selling, and paying interest to the man from whom I buy for no more than a year, I can attain what I want, if you help me. The estate of Drusus is most readily available, for he is eager to sell. Next, I think, comes Lamia's; but he is away. Still, if you can do anything, sniff it out. Not even Silius makes any use of his, and it could very easily be carried by the interest. Take this business of mine in hand—and do not consider what my finances require, which I disregard, but what I want and why I want it.
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 Terentia quod mihi omne onus imponis, non cognosco tuam in me indulgentiam. ista enim sunt ipsa vulnera quae non possum tractare sine maximo gemitu. moderare igitur, quaeso, ut potes. neque enim a te plus quam potes postulo. [2] potes autem quid veri sit perspicere tu unus. de Rutilia quoniam videris dubitare, scribes ad me cum scies sed quam primum, et num Clodia D. Bruto consulari filio suo mortuo vixerit. id de Marcello aut certe de Postumia sciri potest, illud autem de M. Cotta aut de Syro aut de satyro. [3] de hortis etiam atque etiam rogo. omnibus meis eorumque quos scio mihi non defuturos facultatibus (sed potero meis) enitendum mihi est. sunt etiam quae vendere facile possim. sed ut non vendam eique usuram pendam a quo emero non plus annum, possum adsequi quod volo, si tu me adiuvas. paratissimi sunt Drusi; cupit enim vendere. proximos puto Lamiae; sed abest. tu tamen, si quid potes, odorare. ne Silius quidem quicquam utitur et ust usuris facillime sustentabitur. habe tuum negotium nec quid res mea familiaris postulet quam ego non curo sed quid velim et cur velim existima.