My letter, Atticus, sent from the barely pacified Getae, wishes you to be greeted first.
§2.7.3proxima subsequitur, quid agas, audire voluntas, §2.7.4et si, quidquid agis, sit tibi cura mei.
The next desire that follows closely is to hear how you are doing, and whether, whatever you do, you have a care for me.
Nor do I doubt that you do, but the very fear of misfortunes often compels me to have unnecessary anxieties.
§2.7.7da veniam, quaeso, nimioque ignosce timori.
Grant pardon, I pray, and forgive my excessive fear.
§2.7.8tranquillas etiam naufragus horret aquas.
Even calm waters terrify the shipwrecked man.
The fish that has once been hurt by the treacherous hook thinks that curved bronze lies beneath all food.
Often the lamb flees a dog seen from afar and believes it to be a wolf, and unknowingly avoids her own help.
§2.7.13membra reformidant mollem quoque saucia tactum, §2.7.14vanaque sollicitis incutit umbra metum.
Wounded limbs dread even a gentle touch, and an empty shadow strikes fear into the anxious.
Thus I, pierced by the unjust arrows of Fortune, conceive nothing but sadness in my breast.
§2.7.17iam mihi fata liquet coeptos servantia cursus §2.7.18per sibi consuetas semper itura vias: §2.7.19observare deos, ne quid mihi cedat amice, §2.7.20verbaque Fortunae vix puto posse dari.
Now it is clear to me that the fates, keeping their begun course, will always go through paths accustomed to them: that the gods watch to ensure nothing turns out favorably for me, and I think that Fortune can scarcely be deceived.
She makes it her care to ruin me, and she who used to be fickle now harms me with constancy and absolute certainty.
§2.7.23crede mihi, si sum veri tibi cognitus oris §2.7.24(nec planis nostris casibus esse puter), §2.7.25Cinyphiae segetis citius numerabis aristas, §2.7.26altaque quam multis floreat Hybla thymis, §2.7.27et quot aves motis nitantur in aere pinnis, §2.7.28quotque natent pisces aequore, certus eris, §2.7.29quam tibi nostrorum statuatur summa laborum, §2.7.30quos ego sum terra, quos ego passus aqua.
Believe me, if I am known to you as one of a truthful mouth (and may I not be thought an impostor in my misfortunes), you will sooner count the ears of Cinyphian corn, and with how many thymes lofty Hybla blooms, and you will be certain how many birds strive in the air with moving wings, and how many fish swim in the sea, before the sum of my labors could be established for you, which I have suffered on land, and which on water.
There is no race more ferocious than the Getae in the whole world; yet even they have groaned at my misfortunes.
If I should try to write these down for you in mindful verse, a long Iliad of my fate will lie ahead.
§2.7.35non igitur vereor quo te rear esse verendum, §2.7.36cuius amor nobis pignora mille dedit, §2.7.37sed quia res timida est omnis miser, et quia longo est §2.7.38tempore laetitiae ianua clausa meae.
Therefore I do not fear in such a way that I think you are to be distrusted— you whose love has given me a thousand proofs— but because every wretched person is a fearful thing, and because for a long time the door of my joy has been closed.
§2.7.39iam dolor in morem venit meus, utque Caducis §2.7.40percussu crebro saxa cavantur aquis, §2.7.41sic ego continuo Fortunae vulneror ictu, §2.7.42vixque habet in nobis iam nova plaga locum.
Now my pain has become a habit, and as stones are hollowed out by falling waters with frequent striking, so I am wounded by the continuous blow of Fortune, and by now a new wound scarcely finds a place on me.
§2.7.43nec magis assiduo vomer tenuatur ab usu, §2.7.44nec magis est curvis Appia trita rotis, §2.7.45pectora quam mea sunt sene calcata malorum, §2.7.46et nihil inveni, quod mihi ferret opem.
Neither is the plowshare worn away more by constant use, nor is the Appian Way more trodden by curved wheels, than my breast has been trodden by a succession of evils; and I have found nothing to bring me help.
Glory has been sought by many through the liberal arts: I, unhappy, have perished by my own talents.
My former life is free from vice and was spent without stain: yet it brought no help to wretched me.
Heavy guilt is often forgiven through the prayers of one's own people: every influence in my favor was mute.
The presence of friends helps some in hard times: a vast storm overwhelmed this head of mine while absent.
§2.7.55quis non horruerit tacitam quoque Caesaris iram?
Who would not have dreaded even the silent anger of Caesar?
§2.7.56addita sunt poenis aspera verba meis.
Harsh words were added to my punishments.
§2.7.57fit fuga temporibus levior.
Exile becomes lighter depending on the season.
proiectus in aequor §2.7.58Arcturum subii Pleiadumque minas,
Cast out upon the sea, I encountered Arcturus and the threats of the Pleiades.
Often ships are accustomed to experience a mild winter: the wave was not more savage even to the vessel of Ithaca.
§2.7.61recta fides comitum poterat mala nostra levare: §2.7.62ditata est spoliis perfida turba meis.
The upright loyalty of companions might have lightened my evils: the treacherous crowd enriched itself with my spoils.
Places make exile milder: no land more gloomy than this lies under both poles.
It is something to be near the borders of one's fatherland: the furthest land, the edge of the world holds me.
§2.7.67praestat et exulibus pacem tua laurea. Caesar: §2.7.68Pontica finitimo terra sub hoste iacet.
Your laurel, Caesar, grants peace even to exiles: but the Pontic land lies subject to the neighboring enemy.
It is sweet to spend time in the cultivation of fields: the barbarian enemy does not allow the earth to be turned.
Both body and mind are assisted by a mild climate: the Sarmatian coast is stiff with perpetual cold.
In sweet water there is a pleasure that harms no one: here marsh-water mixed with sea-salt is drunk.
§2.7.75omnia deficiunt. animus tamen omnia vincit: §2.7.76ille etiam vires corpus habere facit, §2.7.77sustineas ut onus, nitendum vertice pleno est, §2.7.78aut, flecti nervos si patiere,
Everything fails: yet the mind conquers everything; it even causes the body to have strength, so that you may support the burden, you must strive with a straight neck, or, if you allow your sinews to bend, you will fall.
§2.7.79cades, spes quoque posse mora mitescere principis iram, §2.7.80vivere ne nolim deficiamque, cavet,
The hope, too, that the prince's anger can soften with time takes care that I do not refuse to live and fail.
Nor do you few give small consolation to me, you whose loyalty has been proved through my misfortunes.