Letter 119
The boy Quintus has contrived to reconcile his father to your sister. He
showed the proper feeling of a son, and I gave him much encouragement,
which he received nothing loath. He was greatly moved by your letter. I
trust that matters are as we wish.
I have written to you twice about a domestic matter of mine in Greek and
in riddles, if only my letters have reached you. Don’t take decided
steps: but still you may do some good by questioning the man simply
about Milo’s accounts, and urging him to settle the business as he
promised.
I have ordered my quaestor Mescinius to wait at Laodicea, so that in
accordance with the Julian law I may leave copies of my accounts in two
cities. I want to go to Rhodes for the sake of the boys, thence as soon
as possible to Athens, though the Etesian winds are very contrary. But I
wish to reach Rome during the magistracy of men whose good-will I
experienced over that thanksgiving in my honour. However please send a
letter to meet me, saying if you think there can be any political reason
for delay.
te dedisset litteras, nisi eum graviter aegrum Issi reliquissem. Sed
nuntiant melius esse. Ego tamen angor; nihil enim illo adulescente
castius, nihil diligentius.
Latin / Greek Original
Quintus filius pie sane, me quidem certe multum hortante, sed currentem animum patris sui sorori tuae reconciliavit. Eum valde tuae litterae excitarunt. quid quaeris? confido rem ut volumus esse. Bis ad te antea scripsi de re mea familiari, si modo tibi redditae litterae sunt, Graece en ainigmois. scilicet nihil est movendum; sed tamen aphelos percontando de nominibus Milonis et ut expediat ut mihi receperit hortando aliquid [aut] proficies [2] ego Laodiceae quaestorem Mescinium exspectare iussi, ut confectas rationes lege Iulia apud duas civitates possem relinquere. Rhodum volo puerorum causa, inde quam primum Athenas, etsi etesiae valde reflant; sed plane volo his magistratibus quorum voluntatem in supplicatione sum expertus. tu tamen mitte mihi, quaeso, obviam litteras numquid putes rei publicae nomine tardandum esse nobis. Tiro ad te dedisset litteras, nisi eum graviter aegrum Issi reliquissem. sed nuntiant melius esse. ego tamen angor; nihil enim illo adulescente castius, nihil diligentius.