Marcus Tullius Cicero→Publius Cornelius Dolabella|c. 45 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome|Human translated
I congratulate our Baiae, if, as you write, they have suddenly become healthful -- unless they merely love you and flatter you, and for as long as you are present have forgotten their true nature. But if that is indeed the case, I am not at all surprised that even the sky and the earth should release their influence, if that suits your convenience. The short speech on behalf of Deiotarus, which you asked for, I had with me, which I had not expected. And so I have sent it to you. I would have you read it as a slim and meager case, and one not particularly worthy of being written up. But I wished to send an old guest and friend a little gift of thin thread and coarse weave, of the sort his own gifts tend to be. I would have you be of a wise and brave spirit, so that your moderation and dignity may put to shame the injury done by others.
DCLXXVII (Fam. IX, 12) TO P. CORNELIUS DOLABELLA (AT BAIAE) PUTEOLI (DECEMBER) I congratulate our favourite Baiae on its becoming, as you say, a healthy place; unless perchance it is fond of and flatters you and, so long as you are there, has forgotten its usual habits. If that is really so, it doesn't at all surprise me that sky and land are foregoing their usual evil effects. My poor little speech for Deiotarus , for which you asked, I have with me, though I thought I had not. Accordingly I am sending it to you. Please read it with the understanding that it is a slight and weak case and not much worthy of being committed to writing. But I wished to send an old host and friend a small present — of loose texture and coarse thread — as his own presents usually are. As for yourself, I would have you show wisdom and courage, in order that the moderation and dignity of your bearing may throw discredit on the unfair treatment you have met with from others. 688
XII. Scr. in Puteolano mense Decembri a.u.c. 709. CICERO DOLABELLAE.
Gratulor Baiis nostris, si quidem, ut scribis, salubres repente factae sunt; nisi forte te amant et tibi assentantur et tamdiu, dum tu ades, sunt oblitae sui; quod quidem si ita est, minime miror caelum etiam et terras vim suam, si tibi ita conveniat, dimittere. Oratiunculam pro Deiotaro, quam requirebas, habebam mecum, quod non putaram: itaque eam tibi misi; quam velim sic legas, ut causam tenuem et inopem nec scriptione magno opere dignam; sed ego hospiti veteri et amico munusculum volui mittere levidense crasso filo, cuiusmodi ipsius oslent esse munera. Tu velim animo sapienti fortique sis, ut tua moderatio et gravitas aliorum infamet iniuriam.
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I congratulate our Baiae, if, as you write, they have suddenly become healthful -- unless they merely love you and flatter you, and for as long as you are present have forgotten their true nature. But if that is indeed the case, I am not at all surprised that even the sky and the earth should release their influence, if that suits your convenience. The short speech on behalf of Deiotarus, which you asked for, I had with me, which I had not expected. And so I have sent it to you. I would have you read it as a slim and meager case, and one not particularly worthy of being written up. But I wished to send an old guest and friend a little gift of thin thread and coarse weave, of the sort his own gifts tend to be. I would have you be of a wise and brave spirit, so that your moderation and dignity may put to shame the injury done by others.
Human translation - ToposText / Shuckburgh
Latin / Greek Original
XII. Scr. in Puteolano mense Decembri a.u.c. 709. CICERO DOLABELLAE.
Gratulor Baiis nostris, si quidem, ut scribis, salubres repente factae sunt; nisi forte te amant et tibi assentantur et tamdiu, dum tu ades, sunt oblitae sui; quod quidem si ita est, minime miror caelum etiam et terras vim suam, si tibi ita conveniat, dimittere. Oratiunculam pro Deiotaro, quam requirebas, habebam mecum, quod non putaram: itaque eam tibi misi; quam velim sic legas, ut causam tenuem et inopem nec scriptione magno opere dignam; sed ego hospiti veteri et amico munusculum volui mittere levidense crasso filo, cuiusmodi ipsius oslent esse munera. Tu velim animo sapienti fortique sis, ut tua moderatio et gravitas aliorum infamet iniuriam.