Letter 34

To the Same Man That the affectionate gift of a poor friend may please you, do not weigh against it the rich gifts that you send me. For what worthy return could I make you for those fish, which the neighboring shore, with its abundant flood, furnishes to you in plenty, marvelous in appearance and set apart by their shapes? But for me, only rarely is a spondylus [an edible shellfish] bred amid the dark seaweed, over the rocky shallows in the deep abyss. Sharing these with you, I have sent across twice five and twice three shells, fragrant with the sea's nectar, which a most sweet flesh fills with its two-colored marrow. I beg you, take them gladly, and do not disdain them as worthless: though they are small in measure, I have measured them out with great love.

THAT thy poor friend's loving gift may find favour with thee, think not on the rich gifts which thou sendest me. For what fit return can I make thee for those fish which the neighbouring shore supplies thee from its teeming pools, so wondrous in appearance, so diverse in shape? But for me in the deep pools amid the rocky shallows only a few shell-fish are bred among the dark seaweed. Of these I give thee a share sending across to thee twice five and twice three shells smelling of the sea's fragrance, filled with delicious meat and substance of double hue. I pray thee accept them gracefully and despise them not as little worth: if they are few, use great love in measuring their quantity.

AN EUNDEM PAUPERIS ut placeat carum tibi munus amici, munera ne reputes, quae mittis ditia nobis. nam tibi quid dignum referam pro piscibus illis, quos tibi vicinum locupleti gurgite litus suppeditat miros specie formaque diremptos? at mihi vix alto vada per saxosa profundo rarus in obscura generatur sphondylus alga. hinc te participans bis quinque et bis tibi ternas transmisi aequoreo redolentes nectare testas, quas viscus praedulce replet bieolore medulla. Oro libens sumas, nec vilia dedigneris, quae sunt parva modum magno metitus amore.