Letter 7
To Theodorus and his Sister
How do you think I felt in my heart's depths when the rumour was spread about town that you were struggling with a dangerous or even worse than dangerous attack of ophthalmia, and that you were threatened with the loss of your eyesight? Soon, however, the story was proved false. I suppose some downright rascal took advantage of the word ophthamlia in order grossly to exaggerate the report and to make out a tragic situation. May all the he said falsely about you return upon his own head! God be praised that he has granted us to hear better news of you! But after all, do you expect us, as the proverb goes, to read news of you in the stars? Or to find out what rumour has to say? We ought indeed to have you with us, but failing that, we might at least be favoured with letters from you, and learn about your own affairs from yourself. You really neglect us too much. Perchance it is God that so wills it.