Letter 302.6

To my Lord Verus Augustus. [...] that I was unable [to ...] for the distress of my mind. But when your letter arrived, the first good hope held out to me was the very fact that you had written in your own hand; then came the news you sent, that after three days of abstinence and a brisk and ready letting of blood you had been freed from the danger of the illness that hung over you. So I breathed again, I came back to life, and at every hearth, altar, sacred grove, and consecrated tree I offered up my prayers of supplication-for I was staying in the country. And now I wait to learn from your letter how far those doctors of yours have advanced in the days since toward restoring your strength. For indeed there is now need of far greater care and diligence, that you may build yourself up little by little, and not rush to make good the loss of your strength. For this at least is verified by everyone's judgment and handed down as tradition: that blood, when it is in excess, must be drawn off swiftly, but afterward must be made up again step by step. See to it, I beg and beseech you, my Lord-as befits your outstanding character-that you govern, hold back, and moderate all those desires which now must inevitably press more keenly and more boldly than usual, after the abstinence you were obliged to practice at the proper time. Greet my Lord your brother, whom you will keep safe and well if you yourself are safe and well. Farewell, sweetest Lord.

To my Lord Verus Augustus. . . . . I was so distressed in mind that I could not . . . . But on the receipt of your letter, the very fact that you had written with your own hand raised my hopes at the outset; then came your good news that after three days' fasting and a prompt and rather drastic letting of blood you had been freed from the risk of a threatened illness. So I breathed again and recovered and made my prayers at every hearth, altar, sacred grove and consecrated tree—for I was staying in the country. And now I am waiting to hear from your next letter how much the intervening days have done towards restoring your strength. For, indeed, much greater care and attention are required now, that you may fill your veins gradually and not be in too great a haste to repair your lost strength. For it is a belief verified and traditional that blood when in excess must be promptly drawn off, but must subsequently be regained by slow degrees. I pray and beseech you, my Lord, take heed, as befits your eminent character, to be sparing and temperate and restrained in all your desires which now, after the abstinence which you have practised on a necessary occasion, must necessarily make themselves felt more keenly and more importunately than usual. Greet my Lord your brother, whose health you will ensure if you are well. Farewell, most sweet Lord.

ad Verum Imp. 1.5 [109 Hout; 2.84 Haines] <Domino meo Vero Augusto> 1 <...> animi mei perturbatione non possem. Sed acceptis litteris tuis ea re jam primum bona spes mihi ostentata est, quod tua manu scripseras; deinde quod post abstinentiam tridui et sanguinem satis strenue et prompte demissum liberatum esse te periculo inpendentis valetudinis nuntiabis. Respiravi igitur et revalui et apud omnis foculos, aras, lucos sacros, arbores sacratas (nam rure agebam) supplicavi. Et nunc expecto cognoscere ex tuis litteris quantum medici isti dies promoverint ad vires reficiendas. Enimvero nunc majore multo cura diligentiaque opus est, ut paulatim temet compleas, nec properes ad detrimenta virium resarcienda. Nam id quidem omnium opinione compertum et traditum est sanguinem, ubi abundet, incursim detrahendum, postea pedetemptim esse reparandum. 2 Fac, oro te et obsecro, domine, quod tuo egregio ingenio decet, temperes et reparcas et modificeris desideriis omnibus, quae nunc acriora solito et procaciora existere necesse est post abstinentiam, qua necessario in tempore usus es. 3 Fratrem dominum saluta, quem salvom habebis, si tute salvus eris. Vale, domine dulcissime.