Letter 1015: You ask me for longer letters.
You ask me for longer letters. That's a true sign of your affection. But I know my own meager talents, and I'd rather aim for Spartan brevity than parade my inadequacy across page after page.
And really, is it any wonder my literary spring has dried up? You haven't nourished it with any of your poems or prose for quite some time.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.
Related Letters
I was overjoyed to hear that your health has been restored — your well-being is always my highest wish.
Your letter was trimmed to Spartan brevity but overflows with substance.
The moment a familiar opportunity to write presented itself, I didn't hesitate to put my longing for you on paper.
...is there really anything in my words that can soothe your ears or serve as medicine for your mind?
You have, I think, been led to impose a contribution of mares on these people by false information on the part of the inhabitants. What is going on is quite unfair. It cannot but be displeasing to your excellency, and is distressing to me on account of my intimate connection with the victims of the wrong.