§13.29.1de hortis ex tuis litteris cognovi et ex Chrysippo.
Concerning the gardens, I learned from your letter and from Chrysippus.
in villa cuius insulsitatem bene noram video nihil aut pauca mutata; balnearia tamen laudat maiora, de minoribus ait hiberna effici posse.
In the villa, whose lack of taste I knew well, I see that nothing or few things have been changed; however, he praises the larger baths, and says concerning the smaller ones that winter suites can be made of them.
tecta igitur ambulatiuncula addenda est; quam ut tantam faciamus quantam in Tusculano fecimus prope dimidio minoris constabit isto loco.
Therefore, a covered little promenade must be added; and to make it as large as we made one in our Tusculan villa, it will cost almost half as much less in that place.
ad id autem quod volumus ἀφίδρυμα nihil aptius videtur quam lucus quem ego noram; sed celebritatem nullam tum habebat, nunc audio maximam.
But for that shrine (ἀφίδρυμα) which we desire, nothing seems more suitable than the grove which I knew; but at that time it had no celebrity, now I hear it has the greatest.
nihil est quod ego malim.
There is nothing I would prefer.
in hoc τὸν τῦφόν μου πρὸσ θεῶν τροποφόρησον.
In this matter, by the gods, bear with my vanity (τὸν τῦφόν μου πρὸσ θεῶν τροποφόρησον).
reliquum est, si Faberius nobis nomen illud explicat, noli quaerere quanti; Othonem vincas volo.
What remains is, if Faberius settles that debt for us, do not ask at what price; I want you to outbid Otho.
nec tamen insaniturum illum puto; nosse enim mihi hominem videor.
And yet I do not think he will bid insanely; for I seem to know the man.
ita male autem audio ipsum esse tractatum ut mihi ille emptor non esse videatur.
Moreover, I hear he has been so badly treated that he does not seem to me to be a buyer.
quid enim? pateretur? sed quid argumentor?
For why? Would he allow it? But why do I argue?
§13.29.2si Faberianum explicas, emamus vel magno; si minus, ne parvo quidem possumus.
If you settle the Faberius affair, let us buy even at a high price; if not, we cannot do so even at a low one.
Clodiam igitur.
Therefore, Clodia's (gardens).
a qua ipsa ob eam causam sperare videor, quod et multo minoris sunt et Dolabellae nomen tam expeditum videtur ut etiam repraesentatione confidam.
From her herself I seem to have hope for this reason, that they are both of much less value and Dolabella's debt seems so cleared that I even trust in immediate payment.
de hortis satis.
Enough about the gardens.
cras aut te aut causam; quam quidem puto futuram Faberianam.
Tomorrow either you or your reason (will arrive); which indeed I think will be the Faberius affair.
sed si poteris.
But if you can.
Ciceronis epistulam tibi remisi.
I have sent back Cicero's letter to you.
§13.29.3o te ferreum qui illius periculis non moveris! me quoque accusat.
O iron-hearted you, who are not moved by his dangers! He accuses me also.
eam tibi epistulam †misissem†.
I would have sent that letter to you.
nam illam alteram de rebus gestis eodem exemplo puto.
For I think that other letter concerning his exploits is of the same pattern.
in Cumanum hodie misi tabellarium.
Today I sent a messenger to my Cuman villa.
ei dedi tuas ad Vestorium quas Pharnaci dederas.
I gave him your letter to Vestorius, which you had given to Pharnaces.