Dear Carolus,
Here's thanking you for your last
Offerings. We look forward enormously to your visit
Later in the year.
We are so lucky here in Herculaneum to be
Away from the noise and politics of Rome.
The view of Mount Etna from the upper garden is superb.
I do not care for Pompei as you know,
Too many people,
Too many foreigners,
Too much vice.
Here in Herculaneum
Life is so much better,
Calmer.
Our lives are blessed.
The Gods are good to us.
We prosper.
The priests make appropriate offerings
For which we all pay of course.
There are occasional tremblings
But who could not doubt
That we are not blessed above other men?
You must be tired of Rome, with the riots
And those damned games,
Though I have to admit I am anxious to see the new stadium.
The wretched news from Jerusalem
Makes everyone jittery.
Why must some people always cause trouble?
Why can't they live in peace
As we do.
The new frescoes of Bacchus and Artemis
Have turned out superbly.
Our latest servant girl is excellent in every respect and we have extended
The fountains to the lower levels.
All is well.

Peace be with you.
Salvete