§12.25.1scripsit ad me diligenter Sicca de Silio seque ad te rem detulisse; quod tu idem scribis.
Sicca has written to me in detail about Silius and told me that he has referred the matter to you; which is the same as what you write.
mihi et res et condicio placet sed ita ut numerato malim quam aestimatione.
I am pleased with both the property and the terms, but on the condition that I should prefer to pay in cash rather than by valuation.
voluptarias enim possessiones nolet Silius; vectigalibus autem ut his possum esse contentus quae habeo, sic vix minoribus.
For Silius will not want pleasure properties; and as for income-producing ones, just as I can be content with those I have, so I can hardly be with less.
unde ergo numerato? HS DC exprimes ab Hermogene, cum praesertim necesse erit et domi video esse HS DC. reliquae pecuniae vel usuram Silio pendemus, dum a Faberio vel cum aliquo qui Faberio debet repraesentabimus.
Where then is the cash to come from? You will extract six hundred thousand sesterces from Hermogenes, especially since it will be necessary and I see there are six hundred thousand sesterces at home. For the rest of the money, we can even pay interest to Silius, until we realize the cash from Faberius or from someone who owes Faberius.
erit etiam aliquid alicunde.
There will also be something from somewhere else.
sed totam rem tu gubernabis.
But you will manage the whole affair.
§12.25.2Drusianis vero hortis multo antepono neque sunt umquam comparati.
Indeed, I prefer it by far to the gardens of Drusus, nor have they ever been compared.
mihi crede, una me causa movet in qua scio me τετυφῶσθαι.
Believe me, a single cause moves me, in which I know I am infatuated.
sed, ut facis, obsequere huic errori meo.
But, as you do, indulge this error of mine.
nam quod scribis
"ἐγγήραμα,"
actum iam de isto est; alia magis quaero.
For as to what you write, "a solace for old age," that matter is already finished; I am seeking other things more.