When you heard of my misfortunes—for a distant land was holding you— was your heart at all sad?
Though you may dissemble and fear to confess it, Graecinus, if I know you well, it is clear that it was sad.
Such unlovely wildness does not fit your character, nor is it less at variance with your pursuits.
By the liberal arts, for which you have the greatest care, hearts soften and roughness flees.
Nor does anyone embrace them with better faith, so far as duty and the labor of military service allow.
§1.6.11certe ego cum primum potui sentire quid essem §1.6.12—nam fuit attoniti ‘mens mea nulla diu— §1.6.13hoc quoque fortunam sensi, quod amicus abesses, §1.6.14qui mihi praesidium grande futurus eras.
Certainly, when first I was able to perceive what I was —for my mind was as nothing for a long time from the shock— I felt this misfortune too, that you, my friend, were absent, you who were to be a great protection to me.
With you then were absent the consolations of my sick mind, and a great part of my soul and counsel.
§1.6.17at nunc, quod superest, fer opem, precor, eminus unam, §1.6.18adloquioque iuva pectora nostra tuo, §1.6.19quae, non mendaci si quicquam credis amico, §1.6.20stulta magis dici quam scelerata decet.
But now, for what remains, bring, I pray, your sole help from afar, and aid our hearts with your comforting words, which, if you believe at all in a non-lying friend, are more properly called foolish than criminal.
It is neither brief nor safe to write what the origin of my sin was; my wounds fear to be touched.
In whatever way they were made to me, cease to ask: do not disturb them, if you wish any to heal.
§1.6.25quicquid id est, ut non facinus, sic culpa vocanda est.
Whatever it is, as it must not be called a crime, so it must be called a fault.
§1.6.26omnis an in magnos culpa deos scelus est?
Is every fault against the great gods a crime?
Therefore, Graecinus, the hope of lightening my punishment is not entirely left none to my mind.
This goddess, when the deities fled the wicked earth, remained alone on the ground hated by the gods.
§1.6.31haec facit ut vivat fossor quoque compede vinctus, §1.6.32liberaque a ferro crura futura putet, §1.6.33haec facit ut, videat cum terras undique nullas, §1.6.34naufragus in mediis brachia iactet aquis.
She causes even the digger bound in shackles to live, and to think that his legs will be free from iron, she causes the shipwrecked man, though he sees no land on any side, to toss his arms in the midst of the waters.
Often the skillful care of doctors has abandoned someone, yet hope does not fall from him though his pulse fails.
Those shut in prison are said to hope for safety, and someone hanging on a cross makes vows.
§1.6.39haec dea quam multos laqueo sua colla ligantis §1.6.40non est proposita passa perire nece!’ §1.6.41me quoque conantem gladio finire dolorem §1.6.42arguit iniecta continuitque manu, §1.6.43quid que
facis? lacrimis opus est, non sanguine dixit,
How many who were binding their necks with a noose did this goddess not allow to perish by their purposed death!’ Me too, as I was trying to end my pain with the sword, she rebuked and held back with her hand cast upon me, and said, "What are you doing?
§1.6.44‘saepe per has flecti principis ira solet. §1.6.45quamvis est igitur meritis indebita nostris, §1.6.46magna tamen spes est in bonitate dei.
There is need of tears, not blood; often by these the anger of the prince is wont to be turned." Therefore, although it is unearned by our merits, yet there is great hope in the goodness of the god.
§1.6.47qui ne difficilis mihi sit, Graecine, precare, §1.6.48confer et in votum tu quoque verba meum.
Pray, Graecinus, that he may not be difficult to me, and you too contribute words to my vow.
And may I lie buried in Tomitan sand, if it is clear that you do not make those vows for us.
§1.6.51nam prius incipient turris vitare columbae, §1.6.52antra ferae, pecudes gramina, mergus aquas, §1.6.53quam male se praestet veteri Graecinus amico, §1.6.54non ita sunt fatis omnia versa meis. ’
For sooner will doves begin to avoid towers, wild beasts caves, sheep grass, and the gull waters, than Graecinus prove himself bad to an old friend; not so completely have all things been overturned by my fates.’