Marcus Tullius Cicero→Marcus Claudius Marcellus|c. 45 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Mytilene|Human translated
Although there was nothing new for me to write to you, and I was already beginning to look for a letter from you, or rather for you yourself, nevertheless, since Theophilus was setting out, I could not give him no letter at all. Take care, then, to come as soon as possible; for you will come, believe me, eagerly awaited, not only by us, that is by your friends, but absolutely by everyone. For it occurs to me to suspect at times that a slow departure may be pleasing to you. Now if you had no sense but that of sight, I would entirely pardon you if you did not wish to see certain people; but since what is heard is not much lighter than what is seen, and I suspected that it greatly concerned your private affairs for you to come as soon as possible, and that this was important in every respect, I thought you should be reminded of this matter. But since I have shown what I prefer, you will consider the rest according to your own wisdom; yet I would like you to let me know when we should expect you.
DXXXV (Fam. IV, 10) TO M. CLAUDIUS MARCELLUS (AT MITYLENE) ROME (JANUARY) THOUGH I have nothing fresh to say to you, and am now beginning more to expect a letter from you, or rather to see you in person, yet, as Theophilus was starting, I could not refrain from giving him some sort of letter. Do your best, then, to come at the earliest opportunity: your coming, believe me, will be welcomed not only by us, I mean by your personal friends, but by absolutely everybody. I say this because it occurs to me sometimes to be a little afraid that you have a fancy for postponing your departure. Now, had you had no other sense than that of eyesight, I should have sympathized with you in your shrinking from the sight of certain persons: but since what is heard is not much less distressing than what is seen, while I suspected that your early arrival much concerned the safety of your property, and was of importance in every point of view, I thought I ought to give you a hint on the subject. But as I have shown you my opinion, I will leave the rest to your own wisdom. Still, pray let me know about when to expect you.
X. Scr. Romae mense Ianuario a.u.c. 709. CICERO MARCELLO S.
Etsi nihil erat novi, quod ad te scriberem, magisque litteras tuas iam exspectare incipiebam vel te potius ipsum, tamen, cum Theophilus proficisceretur, non potui nihil ei litterarum dare: cura igitur, ut quam primum venias; venies enim, mihi crede, exspectatus, neque solum nobis, id est, tuis, sed prorsus omnibus; venit enim mihi in mentem subvereri interdum, ne te delectet tarda decessio. Quod si nullum haberes sensum nisi oculorum, prorsus tibi ignoscerem, si quosdam nolles videre, sed, cum leviora non multo essent, quae audirentur, quam quae viderentur, suspicarer autem multum interesse rei familiaris tuae te quam primum venire idque in omnes partes valeret, putavi ea de re te esse admonendum. Sed, quoniam, quid mihi placeret, ostendi, reliqua tu pro tua prudentia considerabis; me tamen velim, quod ad tempus te exspectemus, certiorem facias.
◆
Although there was nothing new for me to write to you, and I was already beginning to look for a letter from you, or rather for you yourself, nevertheless, since Theophilus was setting out, I could not give him no letter at all. Take care, then, to come as soon as possible; for you will come, believe me, eagerly awaited, not only by us, that is by your friends, but absolutely by everyone. For it occurs to me to suspect at times that a slow departure may be pleasing to you. Now if you had no sense but that of sight, I would entirely pardon you if you did not wish to see certain people; but since what is heard is not much lighter than what is seen, and I suspected that it greatly concerned your private affairs for you to come as soon as possible, and that this was important in every respect, I thought you should be reminded of this matter. But since I have shown what I prefer, you will consider the rest according to your own wisdom; yet I would like you to let me know when we should expect you.
Human translation - ToposText / Shuckburgh
Latin / Greek Original
X. Scr. Romae mense Ianuario a.u.c. 709. CICERO MARCELLO S.
Etsi nihil erat novi, quod ad te scriberem, magisque litteras tuas iam exspectare incipiebam vel te potius ipsum, tamen, cum Theophilus proficisceretur, non potui nihil ei litterarum dare: cura igitur, ut quam primum venias; venies enim, mihi crede, exspectatus, neque solum nobis, id est, tuis, sed prorsus omnibus; venit enim mihi in mentem subvereri interdum, ne te delectet tarda decessio. Quod si nullum haberes sensum nisi oculorum, prorsus tibi ignoscerem, si quosdam nolles videre, sed, cum leviora non multo essent, quae audirentur, quam quae viderentur, suspicarer autem multum interesse rei familiaris tuae te quam primum venire idque in omnes partes valeret, putavi ea de re te esse admonendum. Sed, quoniam, quid mihi placeret, ostendi, reliqua tu pro tua prudentia considerabis; me tamen velim, quod ad tempus te exspectemus, certiorem facias.