Letter 5002: I received the very fine sea-carp which you sent me.

To Calpurnius Flaccus. I received the very fine sea-carp which you sent me. The weather is so stormy that I cannot return you like for like, either from the market here at Laurentum or from the sea. So all you will get is a barren letter, which frankly makes no return and does not even imitate Diomedes' clever device in exchanging gifts. * But your kindness is such that you will excuse me all the more readily because I confess in my letter that I do not deserve it. Farewell. [Note: Alluding to the story in the Iliad (vi.235) where Diomedes receives from Glaucus arms of gold in exchange for arms of brass.]

L To Calpurnius Flaccus. I received the very fine sea-carp which you sent me. The weather is so stormy that I cannot return you like for like, either from the market here at Laurentum or from the sea. So all you will get is a barren letter, which frankly makes no return and does not even imitate Diomedes' clever device in exchanging gifts. * But your kindness is such that you will excuse me all the more readily because I confess in my letter that I do not deserve it. Farewell. (*) Alluding to the story in the Iliad (vi.235) where Diomedes receives from Glaucus arms of gold in exchange for arms of brass.

C. PLINIUS CALPURNIO FLACCO SUO S. Accepi pulcherrimos turdos, cum quibus parem calculum ponere nec urbis copiis ex Laurentino nec maris tam turbidis tempestatibus possum. Recipies ergo epistulas steriles et simpliciter ingratas, ac ne illam quidem sollertiam Diomedis in permutando munere imitantes. Sed, quae facilitas tua, hoc magis dabis veniam, quod se non mereri fatentur. Vale.