Letter 6060: Since our dear Sibidius returned to Rome and reported how badly my daughter is suffering physically, my own spirits...

Since our dear Sibidius returned to Rome and reported how badly my daughter is suffering physically, my own spirits have sunk as well. So I'm writing at once, anxiously asking, first, that she be helped back to health through medical care and avoiding whatever is harmful, and second, that a reliable report ease my worry. After the senatorial delegates left, we withdrew to the Vatican estate [a suburban property], which borders yours. If nothing disrupts our plans, we'll enjoy the villa's quiet through the end of March. The recruitment levy imposed on urban households will remain in limbo until the emperor's response arrives. You'll find the text of both directives in the attached copies. I'm sending these because your letter asked for them -- but in truth, the only reason I picked up my pen was my daughter's condition.

20 Postquam pignus nostrum Sibidius Romam rediit et nuntius fuit, quantus filiam meam vexet corporis dolor, meus quoque animus aegrescit. itaque litteras nihil mo- ratus emisi anxie petens, primo ut medica ope et abstinentia noxiorum ad sanitatem iuvetur, dehinc ut rescripti fides abolendae sollicitudini meae consulat. ipsi post le- gatorum profectionem rus Vaticanum, quod vestro praedio cohaeret, accessimus, et 25 si nihil disposita conturbet, in Apriles kalendas villae otio defruemur. iuniorum di- 2 lectus urbanis familiis imperatus usque ad aetemi principis responsa pendebit. de coniunctis exemplaribus formam praecepti utriusque noscetis. haec quia tuis litteris desiderata sunt, misi; ceterum mera atque unica mihi causa dictandae epistnlae fuit,