ROME (SEPTEMBER)
DIRECTLY I arrived at Rome,and there was anyone to whom Icould safely intrust a letter for you,I thought the very first thing Iought to do was to congratulate you in your absence on my return.
For I knew,to speak candidly,that though in giving me advice you had not been more courageous or far-seeing than myself,nor--considering my devotion to you in the past--too careful in protecting me from disaster,yet that you--though sharing in the first instance in my mistake,or rather madness,and in my groundless terror--had nevertheless been deeply grieved at our separation,and had bestowed immense pains,zeal,care,and labour in securing my return.Accordingly,I can truly assure you of this,that in the midst of supreme joy and the most gratifying congratulations,the one thing wanting to fill my cup of happiness to the brim is the sight of you,or rather your embrace;and if I ever forfeit that again,when I have once got possession of it,and if,too,I do not exact the full delights of your charming society that have fallen into arrear in the past,I shall certainly consider myself unworthy of this renewal of my good fortune.
