Letter 6033: I'm staying at my country house outside the city.

Quintus Aurelius SymmachusUnknown|c. 382 AD|Quintus Aurelius Symmachus
friendshipillness

I'm staying at my country house outside the city. The hassles of urban life have worn me out, and I'm enjoying the pleasant renewal that a villa offers in autumn. Better still, friends keep arriving, which gives me the kind of company that in Rome counts as the only real mark of distinction. But our little granddaughter Galla's illness has badly shaken the peace of my retreat. I pray that divine help will bring timely good news about her recovery.

As for you, my dear daughter, please make sure to let me know day by day how much her health improves. It will be proof of your devotion to me if you look after her recovery and keep me informed with welcome reports.

Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.

Related Letters