Ep. 10.2.1Exprimere, domine, verbīs nōn possum, quantum mihi gaudium attulerīs, quod mē dignum putāstī iūre trium līberōrum.I cannot express in words, my lord, how much joy you have brought me in thinking me worthy of the right of three children. Ep. 10.2.1Quamvīs enim Iūlī Serviānī, optimī virī tuīque amantissimī, precibus indulserīs, tamen etiam ex rescrīptō intellegō libentius hoc eī tē praestitisse, quia prō mē rogābat.For although you granted it at the request of Julius Servianus, an excellent man and most devoted to you, yet I understand from your rescript too that you bestowed this on him the more gladly because he was asking on my behalf. Ep. 10.2.2Videor ergō summam vōtī meī cōnsecūtus, cum inter initia fēlīcissimī prīncipātūs tuī probāverīs mē ad pecūliārem indulgentiam tuam pertinēre;I seem, then, to have attained the height of my wishes, since at the very beginning of your most fortunate principate you have shown that I am one of those who enjoy your particular favour; Ep. 10.2.2eōque magis līberōs concupīscō, quōs habēre etiam illō trīstissimō saeculō voluī, sīcut potes duōbus mātrimōniīs meīs crēdere.and all the more do I long for children, whom I wanted to have even in that most dismal age, as you may believe from my two marriages.
Ep. 10.2.3Sed dī melius, quī omnia integra bonitātī tuae reservārunt;But the gods knew better, who kept everything untouched for your goodness; Ep. 10.2.3māluī hōc potius tempore mē patrem fierī, quō futūrus essem et sēcūrus et fēlīx.I preferred to become a father at this time instead, when I should be both safe and happy.