Letter 3015: You will perhaps accuse me of an excessively long silence.

Perhaps you will reproach my long silence. I do not want you to attribute this delay to negligence. For the continuous course of a long journey stood in the way of my pen. At last we have reached the shore of Formiae [Formia, on the coast of Campania], which would be more pleasing to me if we might enjoy together the delight of this place. But since this is not permitted, on account of your years and your health, I ask that I be informed at least by an exchange of letters how much vigor you have added to your frail little body. For I do not doubt that you possess temperance and the other safeguards for the preservation of old age. Farewell.

Fortasse argnas dintumnm silentium meum. nolo adplices hanc moram negle- gentiae. continnatio enim longi itineris stilo obstitit. tandem Formianum litns acces- simns, quod mihi esset acceptius, si nna loc/ istins volnptate frneremur. sed qnia hoc per annos et valetndinem tuam non licet, edocen' saltem mntuis litteris peto, 30 qnantum corpnsculo vigoris adieceris. inesse enim tibi temperantiam ceteraqne tnen- dae senectntis praesidia non ambigo. vale. tiosa P iauentae (a in raB,) P quoniam tu F aemulares P I m. 15 destituet] Mommserij dofuot PP^y defruet F 16 scri- bendum F 17 exemplum F quantam P 2 m.j aliquam F 20 uaiet P creditum P 26 nolo] luretu$j uolo P 28 loci istius] ModiWy locis tois PT^, loci et tui Mereer 29 edo- cere P 10* 76 SYMMACHI EPISTVLAE