As I had heard from you and nobody else had, I began to feel as if I ought to look after you.

Everything was abominably humdrum and I deceived myself into thinking I should enjoy the smell of green fields.

I certainly should have turned back less than half way if I had been concerned with anybody else than you; and when we turned off the Via Salaria into your country byroad I cursed you and your neighbors and all Sabinum.

The most deserted stretch of road I ever travelled in all my life.

I saw only six human beings before I reached your villa and I had heard that this valley was populous and busy.