§2.4.1fecisti mihi pergratum quod Serapionis librum ad me misisti; ex quo quidem ego, quod inter nos liceat dicere, millesimam partem vix intellego.
You have done me a very great favor by sending me Serapion's book; of which indeed, to speak strictly between ourselves, I scarcely understand a thousandth part.
pro eo tibi praesentem pecuniam solvi imperavi, ne tu expensum muneribus ferres.
I have ordered ready money to be paid to you for it, so that you should not book it as a loss under the head of gifts.
at quoniam nummorum mentio facta est, amabo te, cura ut cum Titinio quoquo modo poteris transigas.
But since mention has been made of money, please take care to settle with Titinius in whatever way you can.
si in eo quod ostenderat non stat, mihi maxime placet ea quae male empta sunt reddi, si voluntate Pomponiae fieri poterit; si ne id quidem, nummi potius reddantur quam ullus sit scrupulus.
If he does not stand by what he had proposed, it pleases me best that the things which were badly bought should be returned, if it can be done with Pomponia's consent; if not even that is possible, let the money be returned rather than have any cause of anxiety.
valde hoc velim ante quam proficiscare amanter, ut soles, diligenterque conficias.
I should wish you very much to finish this business lovingly, as you usually do, and diligently before you depart.
§2.4.2Clodius ergo, ut ais, ad Tigranem! velim †Sirpiae† condicione; sed facile patior.
So Clodius, as you say, is off to Tigranes! I would it were on †Sirpia's† terms; but I bear it easily.
accommodatius enim nobis est ad liberam legationem tempus illud, cum et Quintus noster iam, ut speramus, in otio consederit et iste sacerdos Bonae Deae cuius modi futurus sit scierimus.
For that time will be more suitable for us for a free legation, when our Quintus, as we hope, has already settled in leisure, and we have learned what kind of man that priest of Bona Dea is going to be.
interea quidem cum Musis nos delectabimus animo aequo, immo vero etiam gaudenti ac libenti, neque mihi umquam veniet in mentem Crasso invidere neque paenitere quod a me ipse non desciverim.
Meanwhile, indeed, we shall amuse ourselves with the Muses with an easy mind, or rather even with a rejoicing and willing one, nor will it ever enter my mind to envy Crassus, or to regret that I have not been false to myself.
§2.4.3de geographia dabo operam ut tibi satis faciam; sed nihil certi polliceor.
As to the geography, I will do my best to satisfy you; but I promise nothing for certain.
magnum opus est, sed tamen, ut iubes, curabo ut huius peregrinationis aliquod tibi opus exstet.
It is a great work, but yet, as you command, I will take care that some work of this tour of mine should exist for you.
§2.4.4tu quicquid indagaris de re publica et maxime quos consules futuros putes facito ut sciam.
Make sure to let me know whatever you find out about the republic, and especially whom you think will be the future consuls.
tametsi nimis sum curiosus; statui enim nihil iam de re publica cogitare.
Although I am too curious; for I have resolved to think nothing now of the republic.
§2.4.5Terentiae saltum perspeximus.
We have inspected Terentia's woodland pasture.
quid quaeris? praeter quercum Dodonaeam nihil desideramus quo minus Epirum ipsam possidere videamur.
What more do you ask? Except for the oak of Dodona, we lack nothing to make us seem to possess Epirus itself.
§2.4.6nos circiter Kal. aut in Formiano erimus aut in Pompeiano.
We shall be about the Kalends either in our Formian or in our Pompeian villa.
tu, si in Formiano non erimus, si nos amas, in Pompeianum venito.
If we are not in the Formian, please, if you love us, come to the Pompeian.
id et nobis erit periucundum et tibi non sane devium.
That will be very pleasant for us, and not at all out of your way.
§2.4.7de muro imperavi Philotimo ne impediret quo minus id fieret quod tibi videretur.
Concerning the wall, I have ordered Philotimus not to prevent whatever you think best from being done.
tu censeo tamen adhibeas Vettium.
I think, however, you should consult Vettius.
his temporibus tam dubia vita optimi cuiusque magni aestimo unius aestatis fructum palaestrae Palatinae, sed ita tamen ut nihil minus velim quam Pomponiam et puerum versari in timore ruinae.
In these times, when the life of every good citizen is so precarious, I highly value the enjoyment of the Palatine palaestra for even a single summer, but yet on the condition that I would wish nothing less than that Pomponia and the boy should live in fear of a collapse.