Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. -60 AD|Cicero|AI-assisted
I tell you, I feel positively exiled since I have been at Formiae. For when I was at Antium, there was not a single day on which I did not know better what was happening at Rome than those who were at Rome themselves. Your letters, you see, revealed not only what was going on in the city but also in public affairs, and not only what was happening but what was going to happen as well. Now, unless something is picked up from a passing traveler, I can know nothing. Therefore, although I am already expecting you yourself, nevertheless give this boy — whom I have ordered to run back to me at once — some weighty letter full of all your news, not only of events but also of your opinions, and make sure I know the day you intend to leave Rome. I wish to remain at Formiae until the day before the Nones of May. If you have not come before that day, I shall perhaps see you at Rome; for why should I invite you to Arpinum? "Rugged, but a good nurse of youth; for my part I cannot look upon any other land sweeter than this." So much for that. Take care of your health.
I assure you I feel an absolute exile since I have been at Formiae.
There never was a day when I was at Antium that I was not better up in
the news of Rome than those who were living there. The fact is your
letters used to set before me not only the city news, but all the
political news, and not only what was happening, but what was going to
happen too. Now I can’t get to know anything, unless I pick up chance
news from a passing traveller. So, although I am expecting you here very
soon, give this man of mine, who is under orders to return at once, a
bulky missive, full of news of all that has happened and what you think
about it: and don’t forget to say what day you are leaving Rome. I
intend to stay at Formiae till the 6th of May. If you can’t get here
before that date, perhaps I shall see you at Rome, for I can hardly
invite you to Arpinum.
My rugged native land, good nurse for men;
None other would mine eyes so gladly see.
That is all then. Take care of yourself.
narro tibi, plane relegatus mihi videor postea quam in Formiano sum. dies enim nullus erat, Anti cum essem, quo die non melius scirem Romae quid ageretur quam ii qui erant Romae. etenim litterae tuae non solum quid Romae sed etiam quid in re publica, neque solum quid fieret verum etiam quid futurum esset indicabant. nunc nisi si quid ex praetereunte viatore exceptum est, scire nihil possumus. qua re quamquam iam te ipsum exspecto, tamen isti puero quem ad me statim iussi recurrere da ponderosam aliquam epistulam plenam omnium non modo actorum sed etiam opinionum tuarum, ac diem quo Roma sis exiturus cura ut sciam. nos in Formiano esse volumus usque ad prid. Nonas Maias. eo si ante eam diem non veneris, Romae te fortasse videbo; nam Arpinum quid ego te invitem? trechei', all' agathe kourotrophos, out' ar' egoge hes gaies dunamai glukeroteron allo idesthai. haec igitur. cura ut valeas.
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I tell you, I feel positively exiled since I have been at Formiae. For when I was at Antium, there was not a single day on which I did not know better what was happening at Rome than those who were at Rome themselves. Your letters, you see, revealed not only what was going on in the city but also in public affairs, and not only what was happening but what was going to happen as well. Now, unless something is picked up from a passing traveler, I can know nothing. Therefore, although I am already expecting you yourself, nevertheless give this boy — whom I have ordered to run back to me at once — some weighty letter full of all your news, not only of events but also of your opinions, and make sure I know the day you intend to leave Rome. I wish to remain at Formiae until the day before the Nones of May. If you have not come before that day, I shall perhaps see you at Rome; for why should I invite you to Arpinum? "Rugged, but a good nurse of youth; for my part I cannot look upon any other land sweeter than this." So much for that. Take care of your health.
AI-assisted translation — This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.
Latin / Greek Original
narro tibi, plane relegatus mihi videor postea quam in Formiano sum. dies enim nullus erat, Anti cum essem, quo die non melius scirem Romae quid ageretur quam ii qui erant Romae. etenim litterae tuae non solum quid Romae sed etiam quid in re publica, neque solum quid fieret verum etiam quid futurum esset indicabant. nunc nisi si quid ex praetereunte viatore exceptum est, scire nihil possumus. qua re quamquam iam te ipsum exspecto, tamen isti puero quem ad me statim iussi recurrere da ponderosam aliquam epistulam plenam omnium non modo actorum sed etiam opinionum tuarum, ac diem quo Roma sis exiturus cura ut sciam. nos in Formiano esse volumus usque ad prid. Nonas Maias. eo si ante eam diem non veneris, Romae te fortasse videbo; nam Arpinum quid ego te invitem? trechei', all' agathe kourotrophos, out' ar' egoge hes gaies dunamai glukeroteron allo idesthai. haec igitur. cura ut valeas.