PLINY, The Burdens of an Estate Owner

Question 1

C. PLINIUS POMPEIO FALCONI SUO S.
refugeram in Tuscos, ut omnia ad arbitrium meum facerem. at hoc ne in Tuscis quidem:

Answer 1

Cauis pliny sends greetings to his dear Pompeius Falco.
I had escaped to Tuscany, in order to do everything to my liking. But this proved impossible, even in Tuscany:

Question 2

tam multis unidque rusticorum libellis et tam querulis inquietor, quos aliquanto magis invitus quam meos lego - nam et meos invitus.

Answer 2

I am harassed by so many petitions and so many grumbles from the country folk on all sides, which I read considerably more reluctantly than my own - for I am also reluctant to read my own.

Question 3

retracto enim actiunculas quasdam - quod, post intercapedinem temporis, et frigidum et acerbum est. rationes quasi absente me negleguntur.

Answer 3

For I am revising some of my shorter cases - which, after such a long period of time, is both tedious and painful. My account books are being neglected, as though I were not even here.

Question 4

interdum tamen equum conscendo et patrem familiae hactenus ago, quod aliquam partem praediorum, sed pro gestatione percurro.

Answer 4

Occasionally, however, I get on my horse and perform as the head of the community, to the extent that I gallop round one or other part of my estates - but only for a ride.

Question 5

tu consuetudinem serva, nobisque sic rusticis urbana acta perscribe. vale.

Answer 5

Do keep up your usual custom, and write in detail the news of the city to us who have become so countryfied. Goodbye.