M. CORNELIUS FRONTO
things we learnt which we were glad to know; but the one thing we are not glad of is that it was in your absence: that is our chief concern.
2. Now for yourself, did you, when you left us, go to the Aurelian district[1] or into Campania? Mind you tell me, and whether you have begun the vintage, and whether you have brought crowds of books to your country house, yes, and this, too, whether you miss me; and yet that is a foolish question, for you need no reminder to do that. Well, then, if you do miss me and do love me, you will write to me often to console me and cheer me up.[2] For I would ten times rather have the run[3] of your letters than of all the vineyards of the Massic[4] and the Gauran Mount: for your clusters of Signia are too nauseous and their hemes too bitter, wherefore I would prefer their wine to their must for drinking. Besides it is much more agreeable to masticate the grapes parched than pulpy, for beyond question I would rather stamp them with my feet than champ them with my teeth. Yet may they be gracious and forgiving, and for these pleasantries a kindly pardon grant. Farewell, to me most affectionate, most delightful, most eloquent of men, master most sweet. When you see the must fermenting in the cask, let it remind you that my longing for you wells up thus and overflows and foams in my breast. Fare ever well.
- ↑ i.e. the regio through which ran the Via Aurelia.
- ↑ A phrase from Cicero (Tusc. ii. 24, 59).
- ↑ Fronto plays on two meanings of legere.
- ↑ A good wine is meant. Marsic wine was poor, see Mart, xiii. 121 and Athen. i. 26. The wine of Signia was astringent and medicinal.
