§21.1Tali modo cum septem et septuaginta annos complesset atque ad. extremam senectutem non minus dignitate quam gratia fortunaque crevisset (multas enim hereditates nulla alia re quam bonitate consecutus est) tantaque prosperitate usus esset valetudinis ut annis triginta medicina non indiguisset, §21.2nactus est morbum, quem initio et ipse et medici contempserunt: nam putarunt esse tenesmon, cui remedia celeria faciliaque proponebantur.
In this manner, when he had completed seventy-seven years and, up to extreme old age, had grown no less in dignity than in influence and fortune (for he obtained many inheritances by no other thing than his goodness), and had enjoyed such great prosperity of health that for thirty years he had not stood in need of medicine, he contracted a disease, which at first both he himself and the physicians disregarded; for they thought it was tenesmus, for which rapid and easy remedies were proposed.
§21.3in hoc cum tres menses sine ullis doloribus, praeterquam quos ex curatione capiebat, consumpsisset, subito tanta vis morbi in imum intestinum prorupit, ut extremo tempore per lumbos fistulae puris eruperint.
When he had spent three months in this state without any pains, except those which he received from the treatment, suddenly so great a violence of the disease broke out into the lowest part of his intestine, that at the last stage, fistulae of pus erupted through his loins.
§21.4atque hoc priusquam ei accideret, postquam in dies dolores accrescere febresque accessisse sensit, Agrippam generum ad se arcessi iussit et cum eo L. Cornelium Balbum Sextumque Peducaeum.
And before this happened to him, after he felt the pains increase day by day and fever approach, he ordered his son-in-law Agrippa to be summoned to him, and with him Lucius Cornelius Balbus and Sextus Peducaeus.
§21.5hos ut venisse vidit, in cubitum innixus 'quantam' inquit 'curam diligentiamque in valetudine mea tuenda hoc tempore adhibuerim, cum vos testes habeam, nihil necesse est pluribus verbis commemorare.
When he saw that they had come, leaning on his elbow, he said, "How great care and diligence I have employed at this time in preserving my health, since I have you as witnesses, there is no need to mention in more words.
quibus quoniam, ut spero, satisfeci, me nihil reliqui fecisse, quod ad sanandum me pertineret, reliquum est ut egomet mihi consulam.
Since I have, as I hope, satisfied you that I have left nothing undone which pertained to curing me, it remains that I consult for myself.
id vos ignorare nolui: nam mihi stat alere morbum desinere.
I did not want you to be ignorant of this; for it is my settled determination to cease nourishing the disease.
§21.6namque his diebus quidquid cibi sumpsi, ita produxi vitam, ut auxerim dolores sine spe salutis.
For in these days, whatever food I have taken, I have prolonged my life in such a way as to increase my pains without hope of recovery.
quare a vobis peto, primum ut consilium probetis meum, deinde ne frustra dehortando impedire conemini. '
Therefore, I ask of you, first, that you approve my plan, and next, that you do not attempt to prevent me by dissuading me in vain."