Letter 6068: There is plenty to write about, but my spirit recoils from speaking things that are painful to recall.

There is no lack of things to write about, but the mind shudders to speak of matters grievous to recount. I see, nevertheless, that the report of affairs in the City [Rome] can in no way be held back, and that it will, as is its wont, announce present events as greater than they are. That this may not happen, we run through the things that ought to be known with a summary appended, so that neither may this letter, which brings you our greeting, draw bitterness from anxious matters, and that nonetheless the trustworthiness of the written account may shut out the license of rumor. But enough of these things. [Section 2.] My daughter's poor health weighs more heavily upon me than the other things by which my mind is now made harsh. I wait, therefore, for you to report that, with God's help, all is well with her again. And if concerning her I shall have learned what suits my prayer, that part of consolation will likewise soften the rest of my cares.

Scribenda non desunt, sed horret animns loqui dura memoratu. video tamen fa- mam rerum urbanarum nequaquam posse cohiberi, quae, ut fieri amat, in maius prae- 30 sentia nuntiabit. id ne accidat, breviario addito noscenda decurrimus, ut neque lit- terae, quae vobis salutationem ferunt, de sollicitis amaritudinem trahant, et nihilo- minus rumorum licentiam fides scriptionis excludat. sed de his hactenus. filiae meae 2 1 iuogemnr P quam P 1 m, 10 praeuertit P 1 m, P 1 m. r, necne P2m.y necne; an P 3 m. 16 emissione (issi in ra$,) P 24 ea leuetis] ego, elenetis P serunli qui dudum ad] (H), seruu//////////// P 25 missuB necdum] (/7), /////////dum P tianit P 1 m. F decurrimus] e^o, decreuimus PP, discreuimus Mtrcer 31 tradant F 32 ac- t^nus P 1 m. 22* 172 SYMMACHI EPISTVLAE PF valetudo gravior mihi ceteris est , quibus nunc animus asperatur. expecto igitur , ut illi deo iuvante ad salutem esse omnia nuntietis. de qua si voto apta conperero, pars ista solacii curarum quoque mearum reliqua mitigabit. LXVI (LXVU) a. 398.