§3.1.1si ipsa res p. tibi narrare posset, quo modo sese haberet, non facilius ex ea cognoscere posses quam ex liberto tuo Phania; ita est homo non modo prudens, verum etiam, quod iuvet; curiosus.
If the republic itself could tell you how it is doing, you would not be able to learn it more easily from it than from your freedman Phanias; so prudent is he, and indeed also, what is helpful, inquisitive.
quapropter ille tibi omnia explanabit; id enim mihi et ad brevitatem est aptius et ad reliquas res providentius.
Therefore, he will explain everything to you; for this is more suitable for me for brevity and more provident for other matters.
de mea autem benevolentia erga te etsi potes ex eodem Phania cognoscere, tamen videntur etiam aliquae meae partes; sic enim tibi persuade, carissimum te mihi esse cum propter multas suavitates ingeni, offici, humanitatis tuae, tum quod ex tuis litteris et ex multorum sermonibus intellego omnia, quae a me profecta sunt in te, tibi accidisse gratissima.
However, although you can learn about my goodwill toward you from the same Phanias, there still seem to be some parts of my own to play; for convince yourself that you are most dear to me, both because of the many charms of your talent, duty, and kindness, and because I understand from your letters and from the talk of many that all the things which have proceeded from me toward you have turned out most pleasing to you.
quod cum ita sit, perficiam profecto, ut longi temporis usuram, qua caruimus intermissa nostra consuetudine, et gratia et crebritate et magnitudine officiorum meorum sarciam, idque me, quoniam tu ita vis, puto non invita Minerva esse facturum; quam quidem ego, si forte de tuis sumpsero, non solum *polia/da, sed etiam *)appia/da nominabo.
Since this is so, I shall certainly see to it that I make up for the enjoyment of the long time which we have lacked during the interruption of our intimacy, by the favor, frequency, and greatness of my services; and this, since you so wish, I think I shall do not against the will of Minerva; whom indeed, if by chance I take her from among your possessions, I shall name not only Polias, but also Appias.
§3.1.2Cilix, libertus tuus, antea mihi minus fuit notus; sed, ut mihi reddidit a te litteras plenas et amoris et offici, mirifice ipse suo sermone subsecutus est humanitatem litterarum tuarum.
Cilix, your freedman, was previously less known to me; but, when he delivered to me your letter full of both love and duty, he himself in his conversation wonderfully followed up the kindness of your letter.
iucunda mihi eius oratio fuit, cum de animo tuo, de sermonibus, quos de me haberes cotidie, mihi narraret;
His speech was pleasant to me, when he told me about your mind, and about the conversations which you had about me daily; what more do you want?
quid quaeris? biduo factus est mihi familiaris, ita tamen, ut Phaniam valde sim desideraturus.
In two days he became an intimate friend to me, in such a way, however, that I shall still greatly miss Phanias.
quem cum Romam remittes, quod, ut putabamus, celeriter eras facturus, omnibus ei de rebus, quas agi, quas curari a me voles, mandata des velim.
When you send him back to Rome, which, as we thought, you were going to do quickly, I would like you to give him instructions concerning all the matters which you wish to be done and cared for by me.
§3.1.3L. Valerium iureconsultum valde tibi commendo, sed ita etiam, si non est iure consultus; melius enim ei cavere volo quam ipse aliis solet.
I highly recommend L. Valerius the jurist to you, but even in such a way if he is not a jurist; for I wish to provide for him better than he himself is accustomed to do for others.
valde hominem diligo; est ex meis domesticis atque intimis familiaribus.
I love the man greatly; he is one of my household and most intimate friends.
omnino tibi agit gratias, sed idem scribit meas litteras maximum apud te pondus habituras.
He certainly thanks you, but he also writes that my letter will have the greatest weight with you.
id eum ne fallat, etiam atque etiam rogo.
That this expectation may not fail him, I ask you again and again.
vale.
Farewell.