Letter 157

I spoke to Dionysius in the frankest way, when contrary to my expectations he arrived. I told him how matters stood; asked him his intentions, and said that I would not press him against his will. He replied that he did not know where such money as he owned was: that some creditors did not pay, that other debts were not yet due. He said something about his wretched slaves that would prevent his esse non posset. Morem gessi; dimisi a me ut magistrum Ciceronum non lubenter, ut hominem ingratum non invitus. Volui te scire, et quid ego de eius facto iudicarem.

Dionysius cum ad me praeter opinionem meam venisset, locutus sum cum eo liberalissime; tempora exposui, rogavi ut diceret quid haberet in animo; me nihil ab ipso invito contendere. respondit se quod in nummis haberet nescire quo loci esset; alios non solvere, aliorum diem nondum esse. dixit etiam alia quaedam de servulis suis qua re nobiscum esse non posset. morem gessi; dimisi a me ut magistrum Ciceronum non libenter, ut hominem ingratum non invitus. volui te scire et quid ego de eius facto iudicarem.