DCCLXXI (F VII, 20)
TO GAIUS TREBATIUS (AT ROME)
VELIA, 20 JULY
Velia seemed to me the more charming because I
perceived that you were popular there. But why
name you, who are a universal favourite? Even your
friend Rufio, upon my word, was as much in request
as though he had been one of us. But I don't blame
you for having taken him away to superintend your
building operations; for although Velia is as
valuable as the Lupercal, yet I would rather be
where you are than own all your property here. If
you will listen to me, as you usually do, you will
keep this paternal estate—for the
Velians seemed a little afraid that you
wouldn't—and will not abandon that noble
stream, the Hales, nor desert the Papirian
mansion—though that other has a famous
lotus which attracts even foreign
visitors, but which would after all much improve
your view if it were cut down. But, above all, it
seems a most desirable thing, especially in such
times as these, to have as a refuge in the first
place a town whose citizens are attached to you,
and in the second place a house and lands of your
own, and that in a retired, healthy, and
picturesque spot. And this, my dear Trebatius, is
to my interest also, I think. But keep well and
see to my affairs, and expect me home D.V. before
the winter. I carried off from Sextus Fadius,
Nico's pupil, the essay of Nico's "On
Over-eating." What a pleasant doctor! And what a
ready scholar am I in such a school as that! But
our friend Bassus 1 kept me in the dark about
that book: not so you, it seems. The wind is
rising. Take care of yourself. Velia, 20th July.
VELIA, 20 JULY
