Letter 7039: You tempt me with talk of the Campanian coast, but here at our Praenestine estate [near modern Palestrina, in the...

You stir my heart by recalling the Campanian shore [the coastline around the Bay of Naples]; but for us too, dwelling as we are on our estate at Praeneste [modern Palestrina, in the hills southeast of Rome], no less abundance of pleasures is at hand. Although there may be many men's opinions which rank the mountains below the seaside, I for my part judge that, for avoiding the summer heat, wooded places suit better than ground open to cultivation. You had added, as an inducement to our setting out, that my son Flavianus would shortly be with you. In his presence I already long since take my delight. From which you understand that my lot is by far the more enviable; for I have both set the comparison of the two places in doubt and transferred into my own enjoyment the company of my pledge [his son], in which you most especially used to glory. Therefore you rather, your circumstances now changed, ought to retrace your way back to us. Add the satiety which long enjoyment of plenty has brought you; for Campania, as it is to be longed for by those absent, so it easily sates those who linger. But on this I shall go no further, lest I seem, should I come, to be announcing my own disdain to that region which is most welcome to us. Farewell. 36.

PVM Animum meum Campani litoris commemoratione sollicitas; sed nobis quoque in Fraenestino rure degentibus non minus suppetit voluptatum. sint licet plures homi- num sententiae, quae maritimis montana postponant, ego tamen vitandis aestibus ma- 2 gis iudico nemorosa quam cultu aperta congruere. adieceras ad inritamentum profec- is tionis nostrae, filium meum Flavianum brevi tecum futurum. huius ego praesentia iam diu defruor. ex quo intellegis, sortem meam multo esse potiorem; nam et con- parationem loci utriusque in ambiguo conlocavi et societatem pignoris mei , qua ma- 3 xime gloriabare, in fructum meum transtuli. ergo tu potius remetiri ad nos viam mutata condicione deberes. adc/e satietatem, quam tibi adtulit copiarum longus usus; 20 nam Campania, ut est absentibus desiderabilis , ita facile explet morantes. sed de hoc non ibo longius, ne re^ioni illi, quae nobis acceptissima est, denuntiare, si ve- nero, fastidium meum videar. vale. XXXVI.