Humanitext Reader

Cicero · Letters to Friends §16.2.1

Letter from Alyzia Urging Tiro to Care for His Health

Passage 392 of 413 · Latin

Summary

Cicero expresses to Tiro that he avoids describing his anxious state of mind, emphasizing that seeing Tiro healthy is his greatest joy. He recounts his journey to Alyzia, mentions his expectations for news at Leucas, and urges Tiro to prioritize his health.

§16.2.1non queo ad te nec libet scribere quo animo sim adfectus; tantum scribo et tibi et mihi maximae voluptati fore, si te firmum quam primum videro.
I can neither write to you, nor does it please me to write, in what state of mind I am; I write only this, that it will be of the greatest pleasure both to you and to me, if I see you healthy as soon as possible.
Tertio die abs te ad Alyziam accesseramus (is locus est citra Leucadem stadia cxx); Leucade aut te ipsum aut tuas litteras a Marione putabam me accepturum.
On the third day after leaving you, we had arrived at Alyzia (this place is on this side of Leucas, one hundred and twenty stadia away); I was thinking that at Leucas I would receive either you yourself or your letter from Mario.
quantum me diligis, is tantum fac ut valeas, vel quantum te a me scis diligi.
As much as you love me, to that same extent make sure that you be well, or as much as you know you are loved by me.
non. Nov. Alyzia.
November 5, at Alyzia.

Notes

  1. §16.2.1quo animo sim adfectus — An indirect question clause depending on the infinitive `scribere`. `sim adfectus` is in the present subjunctive passive.
  2. §16.2.1maximae voluptati fore — A double dative construction, where `et tibi et mihi` is the dative of interest/reference, and `maximae voluptati` is the dative of purpose/result. `fore` (future infinitive of `esse`, equivalent to `futurum esse`) acts as the predicate of an accusative with infinitive clause dependent on `scribo` (used as a verb of saying/declaring).
  3. §16.2.1is tantum — A demonstrative or adverbial expression correlating with `quantum` in the preceding clause. Although `is` is omitted in some manuscripts or read as variants like `tute` or `i`, here it functions to strengthen the correlative relationship ("as much as... to that extent") or to emphasize the subject (you yourself).
  4. §16.2.1fac ut valeas — A periphrastic command consisting of `fac` (imperative singular active of `facio`) followed by `ut` and the present subjunctive (`valeas`). This is a common epistolary and colloquial construction used to express a polite or earnest injunction ("make sure to keep well").

Cite this passage

Cicero, Letters to Friends §16.2.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi0474.phi056.humanitext-lat1:16.2.1

Please note the AI-draft status of the translation and the date accessed.

Translation, notes and summary are AI-generated drafts, revised through reader feedback.