Letter 1030: I'm taking advantage of the openness you've offered me.

I'm taking advantage of the openness you've offered me. You've been stingy with your letters for a while now, but I won't follow your example — I know that for a man stationed at the peak of public honors, with vast and varied responsibilities, it's not the will to write that's lacking but the opportunity. That's the kind of neglect, born of duty rather than indifference, that we readily forgive. Still, secure as ever in your affection, I won't abandon my usual habit of writing. And I'll count it a great favor if my man who delivers this letter meets with some success, in return for his devoted service to me. Farewell.

5 Vtor apud te fidacia, quam dedisti. dudum parcus es litterarnm, sed non imita- bor exemplum, ut qui noverim, viro in specula honorum locato et ideo varia et magna curanti non tam studium deesse quam copiam. ea quippe natura rerum est, ut quae praeter industriam negleguntur ignoscenda ducamus. ego tamen securus, ut soleo, amoris tui officium soUemne non renuo in summa gratia et honore positurus, si fami- 10 liari meo, qui has tibi litteras dabit, fructus aliqui pro tanta in nos sedulitate respon- derit. vale. XXVn (XXI) a. 379.