Letter 10006: The building in question has been in its current state of disrepair for longer than is consistent with the dignity...

From: Quintus Aurelius Symmachus, senator and orator To: [Unknown correspondent] Date: ~368 AD Context: Symmachus, Book X, letter 6; early personal correspondence from his career as a senator and man of letters before his prefecture. The building in question has been in its current state of disrepair for longer than is consistent with the dignity of Rome, and I request authorization for the necessary work. I write briefly because the day has been long and my powers of composition have been exercised to their limits by obligations that do not carry my name. What remains is still genuine, even if it is not fresh. The season passes; the city makes its demands; the literary projects that I meant to complete this year remain the projects I mean to complete next year. This is the condition of every serious person who also has serious responsibilities, and I accept it with the grace that long experience has made available. Write to me when you can. As always, Symmachus