Letter 7031: You always claim you put my interests above your own.

You are accustomed to assert that you set me before yourself. This could be believable, if you would allow my son Attalus to come to us. For he is within your jurisdiction; he submits to your admonitions, and that this ought to be so I agree, but do not extend your pontifical authority so far as to our injury. Is it too little, that you, equally to be longed for yourself, abandon my companionship and begrudge us your most ardently wished-for society? On top of this you also detain the other one, charming him with the arts of affection, supposing, I believe, that I will hasten my return if I am bereft of both. But I give you notice that there is need of an admonisher who may draw me back when I cling fast; for, as you know, I love leisure, I feed upon quiet. And so I forearm you against my slowness: if you already long for the return of an absent friend, allow a brief excursion to one who is present. [Letter] 28.

Soles adfirmare, quod me tibi praeferas. posset hoc esse credibile, si filium meum Attalum ad nos venire patereris. in tuo enim iure est, tuis monitis adquiescit; 20 quod quidem fieri oportere consentio, sed non eatenus pontificium tuum in nostra damna protendasl parumne est, quod ipse aeque desiderandus consortium meum de- seris et invides nobis exoptatissimam tui societatem? insuper alterum quoque deleni- ^cis amoris artibus retines, credo coniciens, adceleraturum esse me reditum, si utro- que destituar. at ego denuntio, opus esse monitore, qui retrahat haerentem; nam, 25 ut scis, amo otium, pascor quiete. instruo itaque te adversum lentitudinem meam: si absentis amici iam desideras reditum, patere brevem praesentis excursum. xxvm.