To the City

ad urbem 

"ego ad fundum tuum contendī," Clēmēns dominō dīxit. "ego vīlicō epistulam tuam trādidī. postquam vīlicus epistulam lēgit, nōs fundum et servōs īnspiciēbāmus. subitō nōs ingentēs sonōs audivimus. nōs tremōrēs quoque sēnsimus. tum ego montem spectāvī et nūbem mīrābilem vīdī." "quid võs fēcistis?" rogāvit Barbillus. "nōs urbem petīvimus, quod valdē timēbāmus," respondit Clēmēns. "ego, postquam urbem intrāvī, ingentem clāmōrem audīvī. multi Pompēiānī per viās currēbant. feminae cum infantibus per urbem festīnābant. filii et filiae parentes quaerēbant. ego ad villam nostram pervēnī, ubi Metella manēbat. Metella mē ad tē mīsit, quod nōs perterriti erāmus." Caecilius ad urbem contendit, quod sollicitus erat. mercator et Clēmēns quoque ad urbem festīnāvērunt. maxima turba viās complēbat, quod Pompēiānī ē vīllīs festīnābant. prope urbem Holconium conspexērunt. Holconius cum servis ad portum fugiēbat. "cūr vōs ad urbem contenditis? cūr nōn ad portum fugitis?" rogāvit Holcōnius. "ad villam meam contendo," Caecilius Holconiō respondit. "Metellam et līberōs quaerō. tūne Metellam vīdistī? Quintum et Lūciam conspexisti?" "ēheu!" clāmāvit Holcōnius. "ego villam splendidam habēbam. in vīllā erant statuae pulchrae et pictūrae pretiōsae. iste mōns villam meam dēlēvit; omnēs statuae sunt fractae." "sed, amīce, tū uxorem meam vīdistī?" rogāvit Caecilius. "ego nihil de Metellā scio. nihil cūrō," respondit Holcōnius. "furcifer!" clāmāvit Caecilius. "tū vīllam tuam āmīsistī. ego familiam meam āmīsī!" Caecilius, postquam Holcōnium vituperāvit, ad urbem contendit.

To the City

‘I hurried to your farm,’ Clemens said to the master. ‘I handed over your letter to the overseer. After the overseer read the letter, we began inspecting the farm and the slaves. Suddenly, we heard huge noises. We also felt tremors. Then I looked at the mountain and saw a strange cloud.’

‘What did you do?’ asked Barbillus.

‘We made for the city because we were very afraid,’ replied Clemens. ‘After I entered the city, I heard a huge uproar. Many Pompeians were running through the streets. Women with babies were hurrying through the city. Sons and daughters were looking for their parents. I reached our house, where Metella was staying. Metella sent me to you because we were terrified.’

Caecilius hurried to the city because he was worried. The merchant and Clemens also hurried to the city. A huge crowd was filling the streets, because Pompeians were hurrying out of their houses. Near the city, they caught sight of Holconius. Holconius was fleeing to the harbor with his slaves.

‘Why are you hurrying to the city? Why aren’t you fleeing to the harbor?’ asked Holconius.

‘I am heading to my house,’ replied Caecilius to Holconius. ‘I am looking for Metella and the children. Did you see Metella? Did you see Quintus and Lucia?’

‘Alas!’ shouted Holconius. ‘I used to have a splendid house. In the house were beautiful statues and valuable paintings. That mountain destroyed my house; all the statues are broken.’

‘But, friend, did you see my wife?’ asked Caecilius.

‘I know nothing about Metella. I don’t care,’ replied Holconius.

‘Scoundrel!’ shouted Caecilius. ‘You lost your house. I lost my family!’

Caecilius, after he cursed Holconius, hurried to the city.