§5.9.1Actium venimus a. d. xvii Kal. Quintilis, cum quidem et Corcyrae et Sybotis muneribus tuis quae et Araus et meus amicus Eutychides opipare et φιλοπροσηνέστατα nobis congesserant epulati essemus Saliarem in modum.
We arrived at Actium on the fifteenth day before the Kalends of July, having indeed feasted in the manner of the Salii both at Corcyra and at Sybota on your gifts, which Araus and my friend Eutychides had piled up for us sumptuously and most affectionately (φιλοπροσηνέστατα).
Actio maluimus iter facere pedibus qui incommodissime navigassemus, et Leucatam flectere molestum videbatur, actuariis autem minutis Patras accedere sine impedimentis non satis visum est decorum.
From Actium we preferred to make our journey on foot, since we had had a most uncomfortable voyage, and doubling Leucatas seemed troublesome, while reaching Patrae in tiny open boats without our baggage did not seem sufficiently dignified.
ego, ut saepe tu me currentem hortatus es, cotidie meditor, praecipio meis, faciam denique ut summa modestia et summa abstinentia munus hoc extraordinarium traducamus.
I, as you have often urged me who am already running, reflect daily, instruct my staff, and in short will see to it that we discharge this extraordinary duty with the utmost moderation and the utmost self-restraint.
Parthus velim quiescat et fortuna nos iuvet, nostra praestabimus.
I only hope the Parthian remains quiet and fortune aids us; we shall perform our part.
§5.9.2tu quaeso quid agas, ubi quoque tempore futurus sis, qualis res nostras Romae reliqueris, maxime de X_X_ et D_C_C_C cura ut sciamus.
Please take care that we know what you are doing, where you will be at any given time, what state you left our affairs in at Rome, and especially about the X_X_ and D_C_C_C.
id unis diligenter litteris datis quae ad me utique perferantur consequere.
You will achieve this by carefully sending a single letter which is sure to be delivered to me.
illud tamen, quoniam nunc abes cum id non agitur, aderis autem ad tempus, ut mihi recepisti, memento curare per te et per omnis nostros, in primis per Hortensium, ut annus noster maneat suo statu, ne quid novi decernatur.
This one thing, however—since you are now absent when it is not being discussed, but you will be present in time, as you promised me—remember to take care, through yourself and through all our friends, especially through Hortensius, that our year remains in its present state, lest any new decree be made.
hoc tibi ita mando ut dubitem an etiam te rogem ut pugnes ne intercaletur.
I entrust this to you in such a way that I doubt whether I should also ask you to fight against an intercalation.
sed non audeo tibi omnia onera imponere; annum quidem utique teneto.
But I do not dare to impose all burdens upon you; at any rate, hold fast to the year.
Cicero meus, modestissimus et suavissimus puer, tibi salutem dicit.
My Cicero, a most well-behaved and sweet boy, sends you his greetings.
Dionysium semper equidem, ut scis, dilexi, sed cotidie pluris facio et me hercule in primis quod te amat nec tui mentionem intermitti sinit.
For my part, as you know, I have always loved Dionysius, but daily I value him more, and by Hercules, especially because he loves you and does not allow your name to be unmentioned.