I thought my absence would be more useful than my presence. This letter I have written as I set out for Tusculum. Don't think I shall do anything so energetic as to hurry back for the 5th. I see no need for my protecting anyone, since proper precautions * * * * * Page 314 praesidia sunt in tot annos provisa. Brutus et Cassius utinam, quam facile a te de me impetrare possunt, ita per te exorentur, ne quod calidius ineant consilium! Cedentes enim haec ais scripsisse—quo aut quare? Retine, obsecro te, Cicero, illos, et noli sinere haec omnia perire, quae funditus medius fidius rapinis, incendiis, caedibus pervertuntur. Tantum, si quid timent, caveant, nihil praeterea moliantur. Non medius fidius acerrimis consiliis plus quam etiam inertissimis, dum modo diligentibus, consequentur. Haec enim, quae fluunt, per se diuturna non sunt; in contentione praesentes ad nocendum habent vires. Quid speres de illis, in Tusculanum ad me scribe."
Habes Hirti epistulam. Cui rescripsi nil illos calidius cogitare idque confirmavi. Hoc, qualecumque esset, te scire volui.
Obsignata iam Balbus ad me Serviliam redisse, confirmare non discessuros. Nunc exspecto a te litteras.
VII CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. In Tusculano V aut IV K. Iun. a. 710_] Gratum, quod mihi epistulas; quae quidem me delectarunt, in primis Sexti nostri. Dices: "quia te laudat." Puto mehercule id quoque esse causae, sed tamen, etiam antequam ad eum locum veni, valde mihi placebat cum sensus eius de re publica tum genus scribendi. Servius vero pacificator cum * * * * * Page 315 have been taken for so many years. I wish you could obtain a promise from Brutus and Cassius, not to enter upon any hot-headed scheme, as easily as you can from me. For you say they wrote what you mention when on the point of leaving the country. Whither and why? Stop them, I beg you, Cicero, and do not let everything go to rack and ruin. For upon my honour things are already being upset by rapine, fire, and slaughter. If they have any fear, let them take some precaution merely, and not make any fresh move. Upon my honour they will not accomplish any more by violent measures than they will by quiet, provided they are careful. The present unsettled state of affairs cannot last long in the nature of things; if there is a struggle and they are here, they have power to do much harm. What your hopes for them are, write and tell me at Tusculum."
There is Hirtius' letter. I answered, affirming that they had no hot-headed scheme. I wanted you to know this for what it is worth.
Just as I had sealed this Balbus writes to me that Servilia has returned, and avers that they will not leave Italy. Now I look for a letter from you.
VII CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
Thanks for sending the letters. They have given me much pleasure, especially that of our friend Sextus. You will say, "Because he praises you." Upon my word I think that is part of the reason: but even before I got to that passage I was very much pleased both by his sentiments on politics and by his style. Servius the peacemaker with a nobody, * * * * * Page 316 librariolo suo videtur obisse legationem et omnes captiunculas pertimescere. Debuerat autem non "ex iure manum consertum," sed quae sequuntur; tuque scribes.
VIII CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano prid. K. Iun. a 710_] Post tuum discessum binas a Balbo (nihil novi) itemque ab Hirtio, qui se scribit vehementer offensum esse veteranis. Exspectat animus, quidnam agam de K. Misi igitur Tironem et cum Tirone plures, quibus singulis, ut quicque accidisset, dares litteras, atque etiam scripsi ad Antonium de legatione, ne, si ad Dolabellam solum scripsissem, iracundus homo commoveretur. Quod autem aditus ad eum difficilior esse dicitur, scripsi ad Eutrapelum, ut is ei meas litteras redderet. Legatione mihi opus esse. Honestior est votiva, sed licet uti utraque.
De te, quaeso, etiam atque etiam vide. Velim possis coram; si minus, litteris idem consequemur. Graeceius ad me scripsit C. Cassium sibi scripsisse homines comparari, qui armati in Tusculanum mitterentur. Id quidem mihi non videbatur; sed cavendum tamen tutelaeque plures videndae. Sed aliquid crastinus dies ad cogitandum nobis dabit.
* * * * * Page 317 his secretary, seems to have undertaken an embassy and to be on his guard against all the quips and quiddities of the law. But he ought to realize that it is not a case of "joining hands in legal claim," but of what follows."[248] Please write.
Footnote 248: The quotation from Ennius continues: _sed magi ferro Rem repetunt_.
What Servius Sulpicius was undertaking is uncertain; possibly to patch up peace between Antony and Caesar's murderers.
VIII CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
After you had left came two letters from Balbus, with no news in them, and one from Hirtius, who says he is very annoyed with the veterans. My mind is still anxious about what I shall do about the 1st. So I have sent Tiro and some men with him—please give them letters one by one, as things happen—and I have written to Antony about the legation, for fear that, if I had written only to Dolabella, his quick temper might be aroused. But, as it is said to be rather difficult to get an audience with him, I have written to Eutrapelus, so that he may deliver my letter. I must have an embassy: a votive embassy is more honourable, but I could use either.
Your own position, I beg you, review most carefully. I wish we could do so together; if not, we must accomplish it by letters. Graeceius has written to me that he has heard from Cassius that armed men are being got ready to be sent to my house at Tusculum. I don't think that is the case; but still I must take care to have more safeguards ready. But to-morrow may give us some food for reflection.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano IV Non. Iun. a. 710_] IIII Non. vesperi a Balbo redditae mihi litterae fore Nonis senatum, ut Brutus in Asia, Cassius in Sicilia frumentum emendum et ad urbem mittendum curarent. O rem miseram! primum ullam ab istis, dein, si aliquam, hanc legatoriam provinciam! Atque haud scio an melius sit quam ad Eurotam sedere. Sed haec casus gubernabit. Ait autem eodem tempore decretum iri, ut et iis et reliquis praetoriis provinciae decernantur.
Hoc certe melius quam illa Περσικὴ porticus; nolo enim Lacedaemonem longinquiorem quam Lanuvium existimare. "Rides," inquies, "in talibus rebus?" Quid faciam? plorando fessus sum.
Di inmortales! quam me conturbatum tenuit epistulae tuae prior pagina!
quid autem iste in domo tua casus armorum? Sed hunc quidem nimbum cito transisse laetor. Tu quid egeris tua cum tristi tum etiam difficili ad consiliandum legatione, vehementer exspecto; est enim inexplicabilis.
Ita circumsedemur copiis omnibus. Me quidem Bruti litterae, quas ostendis a te lectas, ita perturbarunt, ut, quamquam ante egebam consilio, tamen animi dolore sim tardior. Sed plura, cum ista cognoro.
Hoc autem tempore * * * * * Page 319 IX CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
On the evening of the 2nd I received a letter from Balbus telling me there would be a meeting of the Senate on the 5th to send Brutus to Asia, and Cassius to Sicily, to buy corn and send it to Rome. What a shame! First that they should take any office from that party, and secondly, if any, that it should be this subordinate[249] position.
Still, I don't know whether it is not better than for him to sit on the banks of his Eurotas.[250] But fate must have its way in this. He says that at the same time a decree will be passed assigning provinces to them and other ex-praetors. This is certainly better than his Persian porch. For I don't want you to think I am referring to a Sparta farther off than Lanuvium. "You can jest," you will say, "in such important matters?" What am I to do? I am tired of mourning.
Footnote 249: Lit. "which could be delegated to _legati_."
Footnote 250: Brutus apparently called a stream on his estate at Lanuvium "Eurotas," and a building there the "Persian porch," after the river Eurotas and the στοὰ Περσικὴ at Sparta.
Good God! how the first page of your note held me transfixed with horror! How did that violent brawl happen in your house? But I am glad this cloud passed away quickly. I am very eager to know how you have fared with your sad and very difficult conciliatory mission; for the knot cannot be unravelled. We are so surrounded by force of every kind.
Brutus' letter, which you show that you have read, has so disturbed me, that, undecided as I was before, my sorrow makes me still slower at making up my mind. But I will write more when I have news from you. At present I have nothing to write, * * * * * Page 320 quod scriberem, nihil erat eoque minus, quod dubitabam, tu has ipsas litteras essesne accepturus. Erat enim incertum, visurusne te esset tabellarius. Ego tuas litteras vehementer exspecto.
X CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano Non. Iun. aut postridie a. 710_] O Bruti amanter scriptas litteras! o iniquum tuum tempus, qui ad eum ire non possis! Ego autem quid scribam? ut beneficio istorum utantur? Quid turpius? Ut moliantur aliquid? Nec audent nec iam possunt. Age, quiescant auctoribus nobis; quis incolumitatem praestat? Si vero aliquid de Decimo gravius, quae nostris vita, etiamsi nemo molestus sit? ludos vero non facere! quid foedius? frumentum imponere! quae est alia Dionis legatio aut quod munus in re publica sordidius? Prorsus quidem consilia tali in re ne iis quidem tuta sunt, qui dant; sed possim id neglegere proficiens; frustra vero qui ingrediar? Matris consilio cum utatur vel etiam precibus, quid me interponam? Sed tamen cogitabo, quo genere utar litterarum; nam silere non possum. Statim igitur mittam vel Antium vel Circeios.
* * * * * Page 321 especially as I have doubts as to whether you may get this letter. For it is uncertain whether the messenger may see you. I am looking for a letter from you very eagerly.
X CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
What an affectionate letter from Brutus! And what hard luck that you cannot go to him! But what am I to say? That they should accept the other party's favours? That were the depth of shame. That they should try some new move? They dare not, and now they cannot. Well, suppose I advise them to keep quiet and they do, who can guarantee their safety?
Indeed, if anything unpleasant happens to Decimus, what sort of life shall we lead, even if no one molests us? It is a sad disgrace not to preside at the games.[251] Fancy putting the burden of the corn-supply on them! What is this but promotion downwards,[252] and what state office is more contemptible? To give advice in such matters is certainly quite unsafe, even for those who give it. If I were doing good, I might overlook that; but why should I put my foot in it to no purpose? Since he is following his mother's advice, or rather her supplications, why should I interfere? However, I will consider what kind of letter I can write, for I must give some answer. So I will write at once either to Antium or to Circeii.
Footnote 251: Brutus as _praetor urbanus_ ought to have presided at the Ludi Apollinares, but fearing to go to Rome he left it to a colleague Gaius Antonius.
Footnote 252: The banishment of Dion from Syracuse by the younger Dionysius under the pretext of an embassy seems to have passed into a proverb in this sense.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Antiati a. d. VI Id. Iun a. 710_] Antium veni a. d. VI Idus. Bruto iucundus noster adventus. Deinde multis audientibus, Servilia, Tertulla, Porcia, quaerere, quid placeret. Aderat etiam Favonius. Ego, quod eram meditatus in via, suadere, ut uteretur Asiatica curatione frumenti; nihil esse iam reliqui, quod ageremus, nisi ut salvus esset; in eo etiam ipsi rei publicae esse praesidium. Quam orationem cum ingressus essem, Cassius intervenit. Ego eadem illa repetivi. Hoc loco fortibus sane oculis Cassius (Martem spirare diceres) se in Siciliam non iturum. "Egone ut beneficium accepissem contumeliam?"
"Quid ergo agis?" inquam. At ille in Achaiam se iturum. "Quid tu," inquam, "Brute?" "Romam," inquit, "si tibi videtur." "Mihi vero minime; tuto enim non eris." "Quid? si possem esse, placeretne?" "Atque ut omnino neque nunc neque ex praetura in provinciam ires; sed auctor non sum, ut te urbi committas." Dicebam ea, quae tibi profecto in mentem veniunt, cur non esset tuto futurus. Multo inde sermone querebantur, atque id quidem Cassius maxime, amissas occasiones Decimumque graviter accusabant. Ego negabam oportere praeterita, adsentiebar tamen. Cumque ingressus essem dicere, quid oportuisset, nec vero quicquam novi, sed ea, * * * * * Page 323 XI CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
I reached Antium on the 8th. Brutus was very glad to see me. Then before Servilia, Tertulla, Porcia,[253] and a lot of others, he asked me for my opinion. Favonius was present too. I had made up my mind on the journey, and advised him to accept the control of the corn supply from Asia: there was nothing else for us to do now except to keep him out of danger: by so doing we should have some safeguard for the republic too.
When I was in the midst of my speech, in came Cassius. I said the same over again. Whereupon Cassius, with flashing eyes and fairly breathing war, declared he would not go to Sicily. "Am I to take an insult like a favour?" "What will you do then?" I asked; and he said he would go to Achaia. "What of you, Brutus," I said. "To Rome," he answered, "if you think I ought." "I don't think so at all, for you won't be safe." "Well, if it were possible to be there in safety, would you approve?" "Yes, I would rather you did not go to a province either now or after your praetorship; but I don't advise you to trust yourself in Rome." I gave him the reasons that will occur to you, why it would not be safe. Then they kept on bewailing the chances that had been let slip, especially Cassius, and they complained bitterly of Decimus. I said they ought not to harp on the past, but I agreed with them. When I had gone on to explain what ought to have been done, saying nothing new, but what everybody is saying daily, Footnote 253: Respectively mother, half-sister, and second wife of Brutus.
* * * * * Page 324 quae cotidie omnes, nec tamen illum locum attingerem, quemquam praeterea oportuisse tangi, sed senatum vocari, populum ardentem studio vehementius incitari, totam suscipi rem publicam, exclamat tua familiaris: "Hoc vero neminem umquam audivi!" Ego repressi. Sed et Cassius mihi videbatur iturus (etenim Servilia pollicebatur se curaturam, ut illa frumenti curatio de senatus consulto tolleretur), et noster cito deiectus est de illo inani sermone quo Romae[254] velle esse dixerat. Constituit igitur, ut ludi absente se fierent suo nomine.
Proficisci autem mihi in Asiam videbatur ab Antio velle. Ne multa, nihil me in illo itinere praeter conscientiam meam delectavit. Non enim fuit committendum, ut ille ex Italia, priusquam a me conventus esset, discederet. Hoc dempto munere amoris atque officii sequebatur, ut mecum ipse: Footnote 254: quo Romae _added by Tyrrell_.
"Ἡ δεῦρ' ὁδός σοι τί δύναται νῦν, θεοπρόπε;" Prorsus dissolutum offendi navigium vel potius dissipatum. Nihil consilio, nihil ratione, nihil ordine. Itaque, etsi ne antea quidem dubitavi, tamen nunc eo minus evolare hinc idque quam primum, "ubi nec Pélopidarum fácta neque famam aúdiam."
Et heus tu! ne forte sis nescius, Dolabella me sibi legavit a. d. IIII Nonas. Id mihi heri vesperi nuntiatum * * * * * Page 325 and not touching on the point as to whether anyone else ought to have been attacked, but saying that the Senate ought to have been called, the people in their violent excitement ought to have been roused to fury, and the whole conduct of affairs taken over by them, your friend Servilia exclaimed: "That I never heard anyone..." I interrupted her.
But I think Cassius will go (for Servilia promises she will see that that appointment to the corn-supply shall be withdrawn from the senatorial decree): and our friend soon gave up his silly talk of wanting to go to Rome. So he has made up his mind that the games may be held in his absence under his name. I fancy, however, he wants to set out for Asia from Antium. To cut the matter short, I got nothing that satisfied me out of that journey except the satisfaction to my conscience. For I could not allow him to leave Italy before I had met him. Save for fulfilling the duty I owed to our affection, I could not help asking myself: "What makest thou with thy journey hither, seer?"[255] Footnote 255: The author of this line, which is quoted again in _Att._ XVI. 6, is unknown.
In fact I found a ship breaking up, or rather already in wreckage. No plan, no reason, no system. So, although I had no doubt even before, now I have still less that I must fly away from here as fast as possible, "Where I may hear no bruit of Pelops' sons."[256] Footnote 256: From the _Pelops_ of Accius.
And listen to this, if you have not heard it before: Dolabella has made me one of his legates on the 2nd of June. That I was told yesterday evening.
* * * * * Page 326 est. Votiva ne tibi quidem placebat; etenim erat absurdum, quae, si stetisset res publica, vovissem, ea me eversa illa vota dissolvere. Et habent, opinor, liberae legationes definitum tempus lege Iulia, nec facile addi potest. Aveo genus legationis, ut, cum velis, introire, exire liceat; quod nunc mihi additum est. Bella est autem huius iuris quinquennii licentia. Quamquam quid de quinquennio cogitem? Contrahi mihi negotium videtur. Sed βλάσφημα mittamus.
XII CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Antiati V aut IV Id. Iun. a. 710_] Bene mehercule de Buthroto. At ego Tironem ad Dolabellam cum litteris, quia iusseras, miseram. Quid nocet? De nostris autem Antiatibus satis videbar plane scripsisse, ut non dubitares, quin essent otiosi futuri, usurique beneficio Antoni contumelioso. Cassius frumentariam rem aspernabatur; eam Servilia sublaturam ex senatus consulto se esse dicebat. Noster vero καὶ μάλα σεμνῶς in Asiam, posteaquam mihi est adsensus tuto se Romae esse non posse (ludos enim absens facere malebat), statim ait se iturum, simul ac ludorum apparatum iis, qui curaturi essent, tradidisset. Navigia colligebat; erat animus in cursu.
Interea in isdem locis erant futuri. Brutus quidem se aiebat Asturae. L.
quidem Antonius liberaliter litteris sine cura me esse iubet. Habeo unum beneficium, alterum fortasse, si in Tusculanum venerit.
* * * * * Page 327 Even you did not like the idea of a votive legation; for indeed it was absurd for me to be fulfilling vows after the constitution was overthrown, which I had made in case it were maintained. I fancy, too, free legations have a limit of time set by one of Caesar's laws, and it is not easy to get it prolonged. I want the kind of legation that lets you come and go as you please, and that I have got now. It is a fine thing, too, to have the privilege for five years. Though why do I think of five years? Things seem to me to be drawing to a crisis: but _absit omen_.
XII CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
That's jolly good news about Buthrotum. But I had sent Tiro to Dolabella with a letter as you bade me. What harm is there in it? About our friends at Antium, I think I wrote plainly enough for you not to doubt that they are going to take things quietly and accept Antonius' insulting favour. Cassius rejects the corn-supply job, and Servilia says she will cut it out of the senatorial decree. Our friend is taking things very seriously, now he agrees with me that he cannot be safe in Rome (for he prefers the games to take place in his absence). He says he will go to Asia at once, as soon as he has handed over the management of the games to those who will attend to it. He is collecting vessels, and his heart is set on going. Meantime they will stay in the same places.
Brutus says he will be at Astura. L. Antonius has sent a kind letter telling me to have no fear. That's one thing I have to thank him for; perhaps there will be another, if he comes to * * * * * Page 328 O negotia non ferenda! quae feruntur tamen. Τῶνδε αἰτίαν τῶν Βρούτων τίς ἔχει; In Octaviano, ut perspexi, satis ingenii, satis animi, videbaturque erga nostros ἥρωας ita fore, ut nos vellemus, animatus. Sed quid aetati credendum sit, quid nomini, quid hereditati, quid κατηχήσει, magni consilii est. Vitricus quidem nihil censebat; quem Asturae vidimus. Sed tamen alendus est, et, ut nihil aliud, ab Antonio seiungendus. Marcellus praeclare, si praecipit nostro nostra. Cui quidem ille deditus mihi videbatur. Pansae autem et Hirtio non nimis credebat.
Bona indoles, ἐὰν διαμείνῃ.
XIII CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Puteolano VIII K. Nov. a. 710_] VIII Kal. duas a te accepi epistulas. Respondebo igitur priori prius.
Adsentior tibi, ut nec duces simus nec agmen cogamus, faveamus tamen.
Orationem tibi misi. Eius custodiendae et proferendae arbitrium tuum.
Sed quando illum diem, cum tu edendam putes? Indutias quas scribis, non intellego fieri posse. Melior est ἀναντιφωνησία; qua me usurum arbitror.
Quod scribis legiones duas Brundisium venisse, vos omnia prius. Scribes igitur, quicquid audieris. Varronis διάλογον exspecto. Iam probo Ἡρακλείδειον, praesertim cum tu tanto opere delectere; * * * * * Page 329 Tusculum. What intolerable nuisances! Yet we put up with them. Which of the Bruti have we to thank for this? In Octavianus, as I have observed, there is plenty of wit and plenty of spirit, and he seems likely to be as well disposed to our heroes as we could wish. But it is a grave question how far we can trust one of his age, name, heritage, and bringing up. His father-in-law, whom I saw at Astura, thinks he is not to be trusted at all. However, we must look after him, and, if nothing else, dissociate him from Antonius. Marcellus will be doing well if he inculcates our views into Brutus, to whom Octavianus seems to be well affected. In Pansa and Hirtius, however, he has but little trust. His disposition is good, if it will last.
XIII CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
On the 25th I received two letters from you. So I will answer the former first. I agree with you that we need not be the first to move nor the last to follow, but that we should incline to Brutus' side. I have sent you my speech,[257] and leave it to you to keep it or publish it. But when shall we see the day when you will think it right to publish it? I don't understand how the truce you mention can be possible. It is better to make no reply; and that, I think, is what I shall do. You say that two legions have arrived at Brundisium: you get all the news first. So you must write whatever you hear. I am expecting Varro's dialogue.[258] I agree now about writing something in Heracleides' style,[259] especially as you like it Footnote 257: The _Second Philippic_, an answer to Antony's speech of September 19, never actually delivered by Cicero.
Footnote 258: A promised dialogue in which Cicero was to take part, or which was to be dedicated to him.
Footnote 259: Cf. XV. 4.
* * * * * Page 330 sed, quale velis, velim scire. Quod ad te antea atque adeo prius scripsi (sic enim mavis), ad scribendum (licet enim[260] tibi vere dicere) fecisti me acriorem. Ad tuum enim iudicium, quod mihi erat notum, addidisti Peducaei auctoritatem, magnam quidem apud me et in primis gravem. Enitar igitur, ne desideres aut industriam meam aut diligentiam.
Vettienum, ut scribis, et Faberium foveo. Clodium nihil arbitror malitiose; quamquam—sed quod egerit. De libertate retinenda, qua certe nihil est dulcius, tibi adsentior. Itane Gallo Caninio? O hominem nequam! quid enim dicam aliud? Cautum Marcellum! me sic, sed non tamen cautissimum.
Footnote 260: licet enim _added by Lehmann_.
Longiori epistulae superiorique respondi. Nunc breviori propiorique quid respondeam, nisi eam fuisse dulcissimam? Res Hispanienses valde bonae, modo Balbilium incolumem videam, subsidium nostrae senectutis. De Anniano idem, quod me valde observat Visellia. Sed haec quidem humana.
De Bruto te nihil scire dicis, sed Servilia venisse M. Scaptium, eumque non qua pompa adsuevisset, ad se tamen clam venturum sciturumque me omnia; quae ego statim. Interea narrat eadem Bassi servum venisse, qui nuntiaret legiones Alexandrinas in armis esse, Bassum arcessi, Cassium exspectari. Quid quaeris? videtur res publica ius suum recuperatura. Sed ne * * * * * Page 331 so much; but I will write whatever you wish. As I told you before, or rather previously, as you prefer to say, I must confess you have made me more eager to write. For to your own opinion, which I knew, you have added Peducaeus' authority, which I count great and as weighty as any.
So I will make an effort not to disappoint you in my industry or diligence. I am making much of Vettienus and Faberius, as you suggest. I don't think Clodius meant any harm, though—but it is nothing to me.[261] I agree with you about preserving our liberty, our most precious possession. So it is Gallus Caninius' turn now?[262] What a knave! For what else can one call him? How cautious Marcellus is. So am I, but not overcautious.
Footnote 261: After _quod egerit_ some such words as _id actum habebo_ must be supplied. On this phrase, which occurs several times in Cicero's letters, cf. Lehmann, _De epp. ad Atticum recensendis_, 1892, p. 189.
Footnote 262: From _Att._ XVI. 14 it appears that Gallus had just died. Probably Antony, to whom the next words apparently refer, threatened to confiscate his property.
I have answered your longer and earlier letter. Now what can I say to the shorter and more recent, except that it was most delightful? Affairs in Spain are going really well, if only I can see Balbilius in safety as a support for our old age. About Annianus[263] I agree, as Visellia is very polite to me. But that is the way of the world. You say you know nothing of Brutus, but Servilia says M. Scaptius has come, and that without any of his usual parade, and he will pay her a visit quietly, and I shall be told everything. I shall know soon. Meantime she says a slave of Bassus has come announcing that the legions in Alexandria are in arms, that Bassus has been summoned, and Cassius is expected with eagerness. In short it looks as though the republic was going to recover its rights. But don't let us anticipate. You Footnote 263: Or "the estate of Annius," as Shuckburgh.
* * * * * Page 332 quid ante. Nosti horum exercitationem in latrocinio et amentiam.
Dolabella, vir optimus, etsi, cum scribebam secunda mensa adposita, venisse eum ad Baias audiebam, tamen ad me ex Formiano scripsit, quas litteras, cum e balineo exissem, accepi, sese de attributione omnia summa fecisse. Vettienum accusat (tricatur scilicet ut monetalis), sed ait totum negotium Sestium nostrum suscepisse, optimum quidem illum virum nostrique amantissimum. Quaero autem, quid tandem Sestius in hac re facere possit, quod non quivis nostrum. Sed, si quid praeter spem erit, facies, ut sciam; sin est, ut arbitror, negotium perditum, scribes tamen, neque ista res commovebit.
Nos hic φιλοσοφοῦμεν (quid enim aliud?) et τὰ περὶ τοῦ καθήκοντος magnifice explicamus προσφωνοῦμενque Ciceroni; qua de re enim potius pater filio? Deinde alia. Quid quaeris? exstabit opera peregrinationis huius. Varronem hodie aut cras venturum putabant; ego autem in Pompeianum properabam, non quo hoc loco quicquam pulchrius, sed interpellatores illic minus molesti. Sed perscribe, quaeso, quae causa sit Myrtilo (poenas quidem illum pependisse audivi), et satisne pateat, unde corruptus.
Haec cum scriberem, tantum quod existimabam ad te orationem esse perlatam. Hui, quam timeo, quid existimes! Etsi quid ad me? quae non sit foras proditura nisi re publica recuperata. De quo quid sperem, non audeo scribere.
* * * * * Page 333 know what practice that lot have had in rascality, and how reckless they are.
That pretty fellow Dolabella has written to me from Formiae, though, when I was writing this letter at dessert, I heard he had arrived at Baiae, and I got his letter as I left my bath. He says he has done his level best about assigning debts to me. He blames Vettienus—of course he is up to some dodge like a true business man—but he says Sestius, who is a very honest fellow and a good friend of mine, has undertaken the whole affair. Still, I should like to know what on earth Sestius can do in this business that any of us could not have done. But if anything does happen contrary to my expectation, you must let me know; while, if it is, as I suspect, a hopeless business, write all the same: it will not disturb me.
I am philosophizing here (what else can I do?) and getting on splendidly with my _De Officiis_, which I am dedicating to my son. A father could not choose a more appropriate subject. Then I shall turn to other subjects. In fact this excursion will have some works to show for itself. Varro is expected either to-day or to-morrow; but I am hastening to Pompeii, not that anything could be prettier than this place, but I shall be less bothered by interruptions there. But please inform me what the charge was against Myrtilus,[264] for I hear he has been executed, and whether it has come out who suborned him.
Footnote 264: Cf. _Att._ XVI. 11. He was accused of attempting to murder Antony.
As I am writing this, it just occurs to me that my speech is being delivered to you. How I fear your judgment on it! Though what does it matter to me, as it will not be published, unless the constitution is restored? And what hope I have of that I dare not say.
VI Kalend. accepi a Dolabella litteras. Quarum exemplum tibi misi. In quibus erat omnia se fecisse, quae tu velles. Statim ei rescripsi et multis verbis gratias egi. Sed tamen, ne miraretur, cur idem iterum facerem, hoc causae sumpsi, quod ex te ipso coram antea nihil potuissem cognoscere. Sed quid multa? litteras hoc exemplo dedi: "CICERO DOLABELLAE COS. SUO.
"Antea cum litteris Attici nostri de tua summa liberalitate summoque erga se beneficio certior factus essem, cumque tu ipse etiam ad me scripsisses te fecisse ea, quae nos voluissemus, egi tibi gratias per litteras iis verbis, ut intellegeres nihil te mihi gratius facere potuisse. Postea vero quam ipse Atticus ad me venit in Tusculanum huius unius rei causa, tibi ut apud me gratias ageret, cuius eximiam quandam et admirabilem in causa Buthrotia voluntatem et singularem erga se amorem perspexisset, teneri non potui, quin tibi apertius illud idem his litteris declararem. Ex omnibus enim, mi Dolabella, studiis in me et officiis, quae summa sunt, hoc scito mihi et amplissimum videri et gratissimum esse, quod perfeceris, ut Atticus intellegeret, quantum ego te, quantum tu me amares. Quod reliquum est, Buthrotiam et causam et civitatem, quamquam a te constituta est (beneficia autem nostra tueri solemus), * * * * * Page 335 XIV CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
On the 26th I received a letter from Dolabella, and I am sending you a copy of it. In it he says he has done everything you wanted. I answered at once, thanking him profusely. However, to prevent his wondering why I should do so twice, I gave as a reason that I had not been able to get any information from you before when I met you. But, to cut it short, here is a copy of my letter:— "CICERO TO HIS FRIEND DOLABELLA THE CONSUL.
"Once before, when our friend Atticus had informed me by letter of your great liberality and the great kindness you had shown him, and when you yourself had written that you had done all that we wished, I sent you my thanks couched in such terms that you might understand that you had done me the greatest favour. But afterwards, when Atticus came himself to me at Tusculum solely to declare his gratitude to you, as he had observed your remarkable and indeed wonderful kindness in the matter of the people of Buthrotum and your strong affection for himself, I could not help expressing my thanks again more clearly in this letter. For of all the favours and services you have done for me, and they are overwhelming, my dear Dolabella, let me assure you that the highest and the most gratifying is, that you have shown Atticus how great my