III (F XVI, 15)
TO TIRO
(CUMAE) 12 APRIL
Aegypta arrived on the 12th of April. Though he
brought the news that you were entirely without
fever and were pretty well, yet he caused me
anxiety by saying that you had not been able to
write to me: and all the more so because Hermia,
who ought to have arrived on the same day, has not done so. I am incredibly anxious
about your health. If you will relieve me from
that, I will liberate you from every
burden. I would have written at greater length, if
I had thought that you were now capable of taking
any pleasure in reading a letter. Concentrate your
whole intelligence, which I value above
everything, upon preserving yourself for your own
and my benefit. Use your utmost diligence, I
repeat, in nursing your health. Good-bye.
P.S.—When I had finished the above
Hermia arrived. I have your letter written in a
shaky hand, and no wonder after so serious an
illness. I am sending Aegypta back to stay with
you, because he is by no means without feeling,
and seems to me to be attached to you, and with
him a cook for your especial use. Good-bye!
(CUMAE) 12 APRIL