Letter 2027: Although rumor has already brought you the news — that you have been relieved of your public responsibilities — I...

Although rumor has already brought you the news — that you have been relieved of your public responsibilities — I thought a written confirmation would be more trustworthy. So I commit the report to writing. But although you are freed from the burden of public affairs, do not imagine that private leisure brings no duties of its own. The good man who leaves office carries with him the habits of diligence and the reputation of service. Use your freedom wisely, and do not let idleness creep into the place where industry once reigned. Farewell.

Quamvis litteras meas fama praevenerit, quae exoneratum te publicis necessita- 30 tibus nuntiavit, tamen quo fidelior esset adsertio, scriptis confirmo rumorem. sed licet publicae rei absolutione laeteris , volo te adversum incerta muniri ; videlicet ut sub ameas] P l m., admeas P 2 m, K, meis ^, uigilans M uigiliis ^, om, M 11 conferre 0, ut meas quoque uigiliaa aliquid priuatis negotiis tnis conferre patiaris cod. Cuiae, , fortaase ut a me, sis, quoqiie ui- gilianim aliquid et q, 8, 13 subiecit V 14 fugam P 15 reserualem P 1 m. actorum confectione vel tnomm, si adhnc retines potestatem, vel vicariae praefectnrae, PVF qnae tibi poscenti aeqna non deerit. diligentiae tuae ratio digeratur, quae possit osten- dere, qnot numero animalia conlocaris, et quo apparatu instmxeris mansiones, et quan- tum in titnlis fiscalibns exigendis tua cura promoverit. hoc enim testimonio adversum 5 omnes vel fortnitas querellas vel adfectatas insidias protegeris. XXVm a. 389?