Latin Texts & Translations

CXXXV (F VII, 6)

TO C. TREBATIUS TESTA (IN GAUL) CUMAE (APRIL)

In all my letters to Caesar or Balbus there is a sort of statutory appendix containing a recommendation of you, and not one of the ordinary kind, but accompanied by some signal mark of my warm feeling towards you. See only that you get rid of that feeble regret of yours for the city and city ways, and carry out with persistence and courage what you had in your mind when you set out. We, your friends, shall pardon your going away for that purpose as much as The wealthy noble dames who held the Corinthian peak
pardoned Medea, whom, with hands whitened to the utmost with chalk, she persuaded not to think ill of her for being absent from her fatherland: for Many have served themselves abroad and served the state as well;
Many have spent their lives at home to be but counted fools.
In which latter category you would have certainly been, had I not forced you abroad. But I will write more another time. You who learnt to look out for others, look out, while in Britain, that you are not yourself taken in by the charioteers; and, since I have begun quoting the Medea, remember this line: The sage who cannot serve himself is vainly wise I ween.
Take care of your health. ^[Note]