DXXXV (F IV, 10)
TO M. CLAUDIUS MARCELLUS (AT
MITYLENE)
ROME (JANUARY)
THOUGH I have nothing fresh to say to you, and
am now beginning more to expect a letter from you,
or rather to see you in person, yet, as Theophilus
was starting, I could not refrain from giving him
some sort of letter. Do your best, then, to come
at the earliest Opportunity: your coming, believe
me, will be welcomed not only by us, I mean by
your personal friends, but by absolutely
everybody. I say this because it occurs to me
sometimes to be a little afraid that you have a
fancy for postponing your departure. Now, had you
had no other sense than that of eyesight, I should
have sympathized with you in your shrinking from
the sight of certain persons: but since what is
heard is not much less distressing than what is
seen, while I suspected that your early arrival
much concerned the safety of your property, and
was of importance in every point of view, I
thought I ought to give you a hint on the subject.
But as I have shewn you my opinion, I will leave
the rest to your own wisdom. Still, pray let me
know about when to expect you.
ROME (JANUARY)
