PETRONIUS to VINICIUS: -- "Have pity, carissime; imitate not in thy letters the
Lacedemonians or Julius Caesar! Couldst thou, like Julius, write Veni, vidi, vici (I
came, I saw, I conquered), I might understand thy brevity. But thy letter means
absolutely Veni, vidi, fugi (I came, I saw, I fled). Since such a conclusion of the
affair is directly opposed to thy nature, since thou art wounded, and since, finally,
uncommon things are happening to thee, thy letter needs explanation. I could not
believe my eyes when I read that the Lygian giant killed Croton as easily as a
Caledonian dog would kill a wolf in the defiles of Hibernia. That man is worth as
much gold as he himself weighs, and it depends on him alone to become a
favorite of Caesar. When I return to the city, I must gain a nearer acquaintance
with that Lygian, and have a bronze statue of him made for myself. Ahenobarbus
will burst from curiosity, when I tell him that it is from nature. Bodies really athletic
are becoming rarer in Italy and in Greece; of the Orient no mention need be
made; the Germans, though large, have muscles covered with fat, and are
greater in bulk than in strength. Learn from the Lygian if he is an exception, or if
in his country there are more men like him. Should it happen sometime to thee or
me to organize games officially, it would be well to know where to seek for the
best bodies.
"But praise to the gods of the Orient and the Occident that thou hast come out of
such hands alive. Thou hast escaped, of course, because thou art a patrician,
and the son of a consul; but everything which has happened astonishes me in
the highest degree, -- that cemetery where thou wert among the Christians, they,
their treatment of thee, the subsequent flight of Lygia; finally, that peculiar
sadness and disquiet which breathes from thy short letter. Explain, for there are
many points which I cannot understand; and if thou wish the truth, I will tell thee
plainly, that I understand neither the Christians nor thee nor Lygia. Wonder not
that I, who care for few things on earth except my own person, inquire of thee so
eagerly. I have contributed to all this affair of thine; hence it is my affair so far.
Write soon, for I cannot foresee surely when we may meet. In Bronzebeard's
head plans change, as winds do in autumn. At present, while tarrying in
Beneventum, he has the wish to go straightway to Greece, without returning to
Rome. Tigellinus, however, advises him to visit the city even for a time, since the
people, yearning overmuch for his person (read 'for games and bread') may
revolt. So I cannot tell how it will be. Should Achaea overbalance, we may want
to see Egypt. I should insist with all my might on thy coming, for I think that in thy
state of mmd travelling and our amusements would be a medicine, but thou
mightst not find us. Consider, then, whether in that case respose in thy Sicilian
estates would not be preferable to remaining in Rome. Write me minutely of
thyself, and farewell. I add no wish this time, except health; for, by Pollux! I know
not what to wish thee."
Vinicius, on receiving this letter, felt at first no desire to reply. He had a kind of
feeling that it was not worth while to reply, that an answer would benefit no one in
any way, that it would explain nothing. Discontent, and a feeling of the vanity of
