Titus, there is something quite strange in our situation. How can it be that the Romans, who already prepare to recognize you as the master of the entire earth, wish to impose their will upon you in a matter so significant for you and so insignificant for them? And how is it that these very people, over whom you will have absolute power, whose possessions and lives you will control, cannot bear that you love me? Am I an enemy or a savage to the Romans? Do they feel jealousy or hatred towards me? Do they fear that I would push you to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem? Have I undertaken something against the common good or have I offended each of them individually? No, Titus, I have done nothing, said nothing, thought nothing against them. My greatest crime is being miserable, and that you love me. Heaven wishes that I remain this way all my life, guilty in this manner. Continue to provide them new reasons to hate me by loving me always. Show them that the victim you sacrifice for them is dear to you. And for your glory as well as mine, make them know that the affection you have for me has legitimate reasons. Hide my flaws and carefully highlight the few good qualities within me. Tell them that the affection I have had for you has compensated for my lack of merit. And finally, through my praises, reveal to them the reason for your love. For my part, it will be easy to justify my love for you. Your worth and wisdom so universally acknowledged across the world, I do not need to explain why I love you. But dear Titus, may I tell you something that worries me? Yes, since it's my affection motivating it, it cannot displease you, and you are too fair to condemn me when you understand I am only guilty of an excess of love. In the current situation, I would not want to tear you from the throne that you deserve by making you follow me, for there is no place on earth where the remarkable Titus could live incognito. But if it is permitted for me to tell you all I think, I wish that without a throne, without kingdom, without empire, we could live together in a place where ethical mastery reigns alone with us. I wish you were not as you are, yet I would not wish for you to change. My excessive sorrow and affection lead me to a point, where finding nothing in all possible things that could satisfy me, I am constrained to solace myself with impossible wishes. Forgive me, Titus, for having had this thought that would have taken away the power you deserve, even though I perceive in your eyes this sentiment does not insult you. 
Until now, I have always believed that I could not feel sorrow or suffering without speaking and sharing it with you. However, it is certain that the one I read on your face eases my distress, your tears lessen the bitterness of my own, and in my current state, I cannot have a sweeter sensation than seeing you overwhelmed. Yes, Titus, my despair is so great that if I cannot live happily beside you, I wish that we could forever be miserable, as long as we are miserable together.

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