Letter 3014: You ask me to reply -- your letters are practically a challenge to a duel.

You ask me to reply -- your letters are practically a challenge to a duel. But where would I, advancing in years as I am, find that elderly, theatrical spark with which you rival the ancients? Still, do not let my despair at my own style discourage your enthusiasm. Where is the shame in being beaten after confessing one's limitations? There was another thing that compelled me to write back: I was afraid that by my silence I would be giving you a formula for staying quiet yourself, and I realized there would be more harm to me if your indignation imitated my silence than if my boldness tried to surpass you. You will judge for yourself how much my love for you made me do this against my own modesty. Meanwhile, I am glad you are well, though you added that caution is needed lest the sudden turn of your years overtake our reunion. I will not have you counting your years on your fingers -- confidence in health lies in one's strength. Since the discipline of your character spares you from squandering that strength, trust that the gods will bring it about that you remain sound in body to the limits that ancient tradition has set for a human life. Farewell.

Petis, ut respondeam : litteris meis dennntiatio ista certaminis est. sed unde mihi qnamqnam procedenti in annos graves senile illnd et comicum, quo tn veteres aemn- u laris? nec tamen destilnet voluntatem tuam stili mei desperatio. quis enim pudor est vinei post confessionem ? illnd qnoqne me ad rescribendum coegit, qnod timni cessa- tionis exemplo quandam tibi silentii formulam dare plnsqne in me reditnmm frandis adverti, si tna offensio imitaretur tacentem, quam si ansns meus snperiorem. aesti- 2 mabis ipse, qnanto hoc tni amore adversnm verecnndiam meam fecerim. interea, qnod 20 vales , dnlce est , quamvis adieceris , canto esse opus , ne forte reditnm nostram aevi tni snbita praevortant. nolo annos ad calculum voces: fiducia salutis in viribns est. qnas cnm vitet expendere tntela mornm tnorum , spera confecturos deos , ut maneas vitae integer in metas, qnas veternm definitio dedit saecnlo. vale. XVI.