Letter 6052: I've already used up my writing time with the servant heading back to Campania, but I didn't want your saintly and...

I've already used up my writing time with the servant heading back to Campania, but I didn't want your saintly and honorable father Severus to leave without a letter from me -- partly to fulfill my duty of greeting and partly to share my inspection of the building project at your house. I was very pleased with both the layout and the scale of the baths. One thing I didn't approve of: in the smaller bathing rooms, the pool area is being decorated with paintings instead of mosaic [mosaic was considered more durable and appropriate for wet areas]. You should also know that Messala departed on the night before the Nones of March. The rest of the senatorial delegation will follow shortly. I've gathered from some conversations that certain concessions have been made to favor a household that many of our senators frequent for its dinner parties. But rest assured I'll make sure nothing is quietly shaved off the Senate's instructions. Farewell.

Homine vestro ad Campaniam revertente scribenda consumpsi, et tamen sanctum atque honorabilem virum parentem vestrum Severum nolui fadhibere vacuum litterarum mearum, nt et morem salutationis exsequerer et de opere, quod domi construis, iudi- 10 ciam meae inspectionis aperirem. thermarum mihi et situs et amplitudo admodum placuit. in minoribus balneis piscinalem picturis potius quam musivo excoli non pro- bavi. res admonet, ut profectum Messalam nocte ea, quam consecutae sunt nonae 2 Martiae noveritis. legati ceteri mox sequentur. adverti tamen ex quorundam con- loquio, in gratiam domus, de qua plerique nostrates viri edulibns farciuntur, quae- 15 dam esse lenita. sed mea cura non deerit, ne quid mandatis senatus per coniven- tiam detrahatur. vale. L (LI).