Letter from Sempronius Clemens to Apollinarius excusing a delay TM 27096unknown place (north of Antinooupolis), province of EgyptIInd century A.D.

Sempronius Clemens to Apollinarius, most honoured, greetings. I received your letters from your Julius Sabinus, from which I learned that you declare not that I was unable to complete your affairs but that, as you say, I was unwilling. And indeed I was hurt at this, but nevertheless I will defend myself. For the delay arose from the fact that Valerianus was unwilling, when his wife had made a counter-declaration against him, to settle with her at once. Since this is how matters stand, and so that hereafter no other pretext for delay may be left, since you wrote that I should write to you rather more attentively, I say that because of a pressing need I am about to go up to Antinoou, and from there I will write to you about these matters. And if somehow Fortune permits me to set out from Antinoou back here again, nothing is lacking (?). For I will write to you immediately after this distraction, so that you need not worry about your affairs. For thus I will show you how I will neglect nothing, putting it second to nothing. I pray for your health, with all your household.