non integrum sit; deinde ἀτοπώτατον esse me, qui Romam omnino post haec arma non accesserim neque id tam periculi mei causa fecerim quam dignitatis, subito ad ludos venire. Tali enim tempore ludos facere illi honestum est, cui necesse est, spectare mihi, ut non est necesse, sic ne honestum quidem est. Equidem illos celebrari et esse quam gratissimos mirabiliter cupio, idque ita futurum esse confido, et tecum ago, ut iam ab ipsa commissione ad me, quem ad modum accipiantur hi ludi, deinde omnia reliquorum ludorum in dies singulos persequare. Sed de ludis hactenus. Reliqua pars epistulae est illa quidem in utramque partem, sed tamen non nullos interdum iacit igniculos viriles. Quod quale tibi videretur, ut posses interpretari, misi ad te exemplum epistulae; quamquam mihi tabellarius * * * * * Page 359 XXVI CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
I see you have done all you could in Quintus' business. He, however, is in distress and doubt as to whether he shall oblige Lepta or damage his son's credit. I have heard a rumour that L. Piso wants to go on a mission with a forged decree of the senate. I should like to know what there is in it. The messenger I told you I had sent to Brutus came to me at Anagnia on the night of the 30th of June, and brought me a letter in which there was one request quite unlike his usual common-sense, the same old request that I should be present at his games. I answered, of course, firstly that I had already set out now, so that it was not in my power to do so, and secondly that it would be most out of place for me, who have not been near Rome at all since the outbreak of war—not so much to preserve my safety as to preserve my dignity—suddenly to go to the games. For at such a time it was honourable for him to give the games, since he had to do so, but, as there was no necessity for me to attend them, it would not be honourable for me to do so. Of course I keenly desire that they should be well attended and very popular, and I trust they will be; and I beg you to send me a description of how these games and all the other games are received day by day from the very beginning.
But enough of the games. The rest of the letter is, one must confess, of rather a dubious kind, but still he does at times emit some sparks of manly courage. That you may judge for yourself what it is like, I have sent you a copy of the letter, although * * * * * Page 360 noster dixerat tibi quoque se attulisse litteras a Bruto easque ad te e Tusculano esse delatas.
Ego itinera sic composueram, ut Nonis Quinctilibus Puteolis essem; valde enim festino, ita tamen, ut, quantum homo possit, quam cautissime navigem. M. Aelium cura liberabis; me paucos pedes[287] in extremo fundo et eos quidem subterraneos servitutis putasse aliquid[288] habituros. Id me iamiam nolle neque mihi aquam[289] esse tanti. Sed, ut mihi dicebas, quam lenissime, potius ut cura liberetur, quam ut me suscensere aliquid suspicetur. Item de illo Tulliano capite libere cum Cascellio loquere.
Parva res est, sed tu bene attendisti. Nimis callide agebatur. Ego autem, si mihi imposuisset aliquid, quod paene fecit, nisi tua malitia affuisset, animo iniquo tulissem. Itaque, utut erit, rem impediri malo.
Octavam partem Tullianarum aedium ad Streniae[290] memineris deberi Caerelliae.[291] Videris mancipio dare ad eam summam, quae sub praecone fuit maxima. Id opinor esse ¯CCCLXXX¯.
Footnote 287: Footnote 288: putasse aliquid _Madvig_: apud tale quid _M_.
Footnote 289: Footnote 290: Tullianarum aedium ad Streniae _Lambinus and Turnebus_: tuli luminarum medium ad strane _MSS._ Footnote 291: deberi Caerelliae _Shuckburgh_: cui Caerellia _MSS._ Novi si quid erit, atque etiam si quid prospicies, quod futurum putes, scribas ad me quam saepissime.
* * * * * Page 361 my messenger tells me he brought you a letter, too, from Brutus, and that it was forwarded to you from Tusculum.
I have arranged my journeys so that I shall be at Puteoli on the 7th of July; for, though I am in a great hurry, I mean to take every care humanly possible in my voyage. Please relieve M. Aelius of his anxiety.
Tell him I thought that on a few feet at the far end of the land there might be some sort of claims, and those only underground. Also that I have not the slightest desire for it, and that I don't value water at that price.[292] But, as you suggested, do it as mildly as possible, rather to relieve him of anxiety than to suggest that I am in the least annoyed. Again, about that debt of Tullius: speak to Cascellius frankly.
It is a small matter, but I am glad you attended to it. There was too much trickery about it: and, if he had cheated me at all, which he very nearly did if you had not been too sharp for him, I should have been very much annoyed. So, whatever happens, I would rather the matter were broken off. Remember that an eighth share of the houses of Tullius near the temple of Strenia is due to Caerellia, and see that it is conveyed to her at the highest price bid at the auction. I think that was some 3,000 guineas.[293] Footnote 292: The reading and meaning of this passage is uncertain. Apparently either Cicero had asserted some claim on some underground water-pipes on property of Aelius adjoining his own, and was now disclaiming it; or Aelius had been commissioned to buy property for Cicero on which there was a disputed claim to such pipes, and Cicero refuses to purchase on that ground. _Servitus_ above is used in the technical-legal sense of an "easement" or liability on property.
Footnote 293: 380 sestertia. On this debt cf. _Att._ XII. 51.
If there is any news, and, even if you foresee anything you think likely to happen, I should like you to write to me as often as possible. To Varro * * * * * Page 362 Velim Varroni, quem ad modum tibi mandavi, memineris excusare tarditatem litterarum mearum. Mundus iste cum M. Ennio quid egerit de testamento (curiosus enim), facias me velim certiorem. Ex Arpinati VI Non.
XXVII CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati V Non. Quint. a. 710_] Gaudeo id te mihi suadere, quod ego mea sponte pridie feceram. Nam, cum ad te VI Nonas darem, eidem tabellario dedi etiam ad Sestium scriptas πάνυ φιλοστόργως. Ille autem, quod Puteolos persequitur, humane, quod queritur, iniuste. Non enim ego tam illum expectare, dum de Cosano rediret, debui, quam ille aut non ire, antequam me vidisset, aut citius reverti. Sciebat enim me celeriter velle proficisci seseque ad me in Tusculanum scripserat esse venturum. Te, ut a me discesseris, lacrimasse moleste ferebam. Quod si me praesente fecisses, consilium totius itineris fortasse mutassem. Sed illud praeclare, quod te consolata est spes brevi tempore congrediendi; quae quidem exspectatio me maxime sustentat. Meae tibi litterae non derunt. De Bruto scribam ad te omnia.
Librum tibi celeriter mittam "de gloria." Excudam aliquid Ἡρακλείδειον, quod lateat in thesauris tuis. De Planco memini. Attica iure queritur.
Quod me de Bacchi,[294] de statuarum coronis certiorem fecisti, valde gratum; nec quicquam posthac non modo tantum, sed ne tantulum quidem praeterieris.
Footnote 294: Bacchide _Graevius, assuming it to be the name of an actress appearing at the games given by Brutus_.
* * * * * Page 363 remember to plead my excuses for my slowness in writing, as I told you.
What your friend Mundus has done with M. Ennius about the will, please let me know, for I am inquisitive. Arpinum, July 2.
XXVII CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
I am glad you recommend me to do what I did of my own accord yesterday.
For to the same messenger, to whom I gave the letter I sent you on the 2nd, I also gave another for Sestius, written in very friendly terms. It is very good of him to follow me to Puteoli, but he has no grounds for his complaint. For it was not my business to wait for his return from Cosa, so much as it was his not to go until he had seen me, or to return more quickly. He knew I wanted to start in a hurry, and he told me he would come to me at Tusculum. I am grieved that you wept when you left me. If you had done so in my presence, I might have changed all my plans about going. But there is one good thing, that you were consoled by the thought of meeting me again soon; and that, indeed, is the hope that buoys me up. I will not stint you of letters, and will give you full news about Brutus. I will send you my book _On Glory_ soon. I will hammer out something in the style of Heracleides to be stored up in your treasure-house. I remember about Plancus. Attica has good reason for grumbling. I am much obliged to you for telling me about the garlands for Bacchus and the statues. Please don't omit any detail of the same importance, or even of the smallest importance in the future. I * * * * * Page 364 Et de Herode et Mettio meminero et de omnibus, quae te velle suspicabor modo. O turpem sororis tuae filium! Cum haec scriberem, adventabat αὐτῇ βουλύσει cenantibus nobis.
XXVIII CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati V Non. Quint. a. 710_] Ego, ut ad te pridie scripseram, Nonis constitueram venire in Puteolanum. Ibi igitur cotidie tuas litteras exspectabo et maxime de ludis; de quibus etiam ad Brutum tibi scribendum est. Cuius epistulae, quam interpretari ipse vix poteram, exemplum pridie tibi miseram.
Atticae meae velim me ita excuses, ut omnem culpam in te transferas, et ei tamen confirmes me immutatum amorem meum mecum abstulisse.
XXIX CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano III Non. Quint. a. 710_] Bruti ad te epistulam misi. Di boni, quanta ἀμηχανία! Cognosces, cum legeris. De celebratione ludorum Bruti tibi adsentior. Ad M. Aelium nullus tu quidem domum, sed sicubi inciderit. De Tulliano semisse M.
Axianum adhibebis, ut scribis. Quod cum Cosiano egisti, optime. Quod non solum mea, verum etiam tua eadem expedis, gratum. Legationem probari meam gaudeo. Quod promittis, di faxint! Quid enim mihi meis iucundius?
Sed istam, quam tu * * * * * Page 365 won't forget about Herodes or Mettius, or anything that I have the least suspicion you would like. What disgraceful conduct of your sister's son!
Here he is coming as the shades of night are falling, just as I am writing this at the dinner-table.
XXVIII CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
As I told you in my letter yesterday, I have arranged to be at Puteoli on the 7th. So I shall look for a daily letter from you there, especially about the games. You ought to write to Brutus too about them.
I sent you a copy yesterday of a letter of his, of which I can hardly make anything myself. Please make my excuses to Attica by taking the blame on yourself and assuring her that I depart with undiminished affection for her.
XXIX CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
I am sending you Brutus' letter. Heavens, what a helpless condition he is in! You will understand when you have read it. I agree about the celebration of his games. Don't go to Aelius' house on any account, but speak to him if you happen to meet him. Take M. Axianus' advice about the half of Tullius' debt, as you suggest. What you have done with Cosianus is excellent. Thanks for clearing up my affairs and your own at the same time. I am glad you approve of my appointment. God grant your promises come true. For what could suit me and mine better? But I am afraid of the proviso * * * * * Page 366 excipis, metuo. Brutum cum convenero, perscribam omnia. De Planco et Decimo sane velim. Sextum scutum abicere nolebam. De Mundo, si quid scies. Rescripsi ad omnia tua; nunc nostra accipe.
Quintus filius usque Puteolos (mirus civis, ut tu Favonium Asinium dicas) et quidem duas ob causas, et ut mecum et σπείσασθαι vult cum Bruto et Cassio. Sed tu quid ais? Scio enim te familiarem esse Othonum.
Ait hic sibi Iuliam ferre; constitutum enim esse discidium. Quaesivit ex me pater, qualis esset fama. Dixi nihil sane me audisse (nesciebam enim, cur quaereret) nisi de ore et patre. "Sed quorsus?" inquam. At ille filium velle. Tum ego, etsi ἐβδελυττόμην, tamen negavi putare me illa esse vera. Σκοπὸς est enim huic nostro nihil praebere, illa autem οὐ παρὰ τοῦτον. Ego tamen suspicor hunc, ut solet, alucinari. Sed velim quaeras (facile autem potes) et me certiorem.
Obsecro te, quid est hoc? Signata iam epistula Formiani, qui apud me cenabant, Plancum se aiebant hunc Buthrotium pridie, quam hoc scribebam, id est III Non., vidisse demissum, sine phaleris; servulos autem dicere eum et agripetas eiectos a Buthrotiis. Macte! Sed, amabo te, perscribe mihi totum negotium.
* * * * * Page 367 you make about Attica's ill-health. When I meet Brutus I will tell you all about him. I hope you are right about Plancus and Decimus. I am sorry if Sextus is throwing down his shield. Give me news of Mundus if you have any. I have answered all your points: now for my own news.
Young Quintus is coming with me as far as Puteoli—what a noble citizen!
you might call him a Favonius Asinius.[295] He has two reasons: he wants to be with me and to make peace with Brutus and Cassius. But what have you to say to this? For I know you are intimate with the Othones. He says that Julia proposed it herself, for a divorce has been arranged.
His father has asked me what sort of reputation she has. Not knowing why he asked, I said I had never heard anything about her except about her looks and her father. "But why?" I asked: and he said his son wanted her. Then, though I was disgusted, I said I did not believe in those reports. My brother's point is not to offer him any allowance, but she says it is no business of his. I suspect, however, he is indulging in fairy tales as usual. Still I should like you to make enquiries, which will be no trouble to you, and let me know.
Footnote 295: Favonius was a follower of Cato; Asinius Pollio a Caesarian. Possibly Cicero may mean that Quintus sided with both parties; but the exact meaning is doubtful.
What, pray, is this? When I had already sealed this letter, some Formians, who were dining with me, said they had seen Plancus[296]—the one from Buthrotus—the day before I wrote this, that is, on the 5th, with downcast mien and unapparelled steed;[297] and that his boys said he and the land-grabbers had been ejected by the Buthrotians. Well done they! But pray let me know all the circumstances.
Footnote 296: Head of the land-commissioners in Epirus.
Footnote 297: As Tyrrell suggests, this is probably a quotation from a play.
* * * * * Page 368 M. TULLI CICERONIS EPISTULARUM AD ATTICUM LIBER SEXTUS DECIMUS I CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Puteolano VIII Id. Quint. a. 710_] Nonis Quinctilibus veni in Puteolanum. Postridie iens ad Brutum in Nesidem haec scripsi. Sed eo die, quo veneram, cenanti Eros tuas litteras. Itane? NONIS IULIIS? Di hercule istis! Sed stomachari totum diem licet. Quicquamne turpius quam Bruto IULIIS? Redeo ad meum igitur "ἔτ' ἐῶμεν;" Nihil vidi. Sed quid est, quaeso, quod agripetas Buthroti concisos audio? Quid autem Plancus tam cursim (ita enim inaudiebam) diem et noctem? Sane cupio scire, quid sit. Meam profectionem laudari gaudeo.
Videndum est, ut mansio laudetur. Dymaeos agro pulsos mare infestum habere nil mirum. Ἐν ὁμοπλοίᾳ Bruti videtur aliquid praesidii esse, sed, opinor, minuta navigia. Sed iam sciam et ad te cras. De Ventidio πανικὸν puto. De Sexto pro certo habebatur abicere[298] arma. Quod si verum est, sine bello Footnote 298: abicere _Klotz_: ad _MSS._: haud ad _Orelli_.
* * * * * Page 369 CICERO'S LETTERS TO ATTICUS BOOK XVI I CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
On the 7th of Quinctilis I arrived at Puteoli, and I am writing this on the following day as I am crossing to Brutus at Nesis. The day I arrived Eros brought me your letter as I was dining. Is it really so? The 9th of _July_?[299] Heaven confound them! But I could go on cursing all day.
Could they have insulted Brutus worse than with their _July_? So I must fall back on my old cry, "How long, O Lord?" I have never seen anything like that. But what, pray, is this I hear about the land-grabbers being cut to pieces at Buthrotum? And why has Plancus been on the run, as they tell me he has, day and night? I am very eager to know what it means. I am glad my departure is approved; I must see whether my staying may be approved too. That the people of Dyme, now they have been expelled from their land, should take to piracy is no wonder. There may be some safeguard in having Brutus as a fellow-passenger, but I think his vessels are small. I shall know soon and will tell you to-morrow. I think the report about Ventidius is a false alarm. It is held pretty certain that Sextus is laying down his arms; and, if that is so, it looks as though we should be reduced to slavery without even a civil war. What Footnote 299: The month Quinctilis had recently been renamed Julius after Caesar, who was born in that month.
* * * * * Page 370 civili video serviendum. Quid ergo? ad Kal. Ian. in Pansa spes? Λῆρος πολὺς in vino et in somno istorum.
De ¯CCX¯ optime. Ciceronis rationes explicentur. Ovius enim recens. Is multa, quae vellem, in iis ne hoc quidem malum[300] HS ¯LXXII¯ satis esse, adfatim prorsus, sed Xenonem perexigue et γλίσχρως praebere. Quo plus permutasti quam ad fructum insularum, id ille annus habeat, in quem itineris sumptus accessit. Hinc ex Kal. Apr. ad HS ¯LXXX¯ accommodetur.
Nunc enim insulae tantum. Videndum enim est quid, cum Romae erit. Non enim puto socrum illam ferendam. Pindaro de Cumano negaram. Nunc, cuius rei causa tabellarium miserim, accipe. Quintus filius mihi pollicetur se Catonem. Egit autem et pater et filius, ut tibi sponderem, sed ita, ut tum crederes, cum ipse cognosses. Huic ego litteras ipsius arbitratu dabo. Eae te ne moverint. Has scripsi in eam partem, ne me motum putares. Di faxint, ut faciat ea, quae promittit! Commune enim gaudium.
Sed ego—nihil dico amplius. Is hinc VII Idus. Ait enim attributionem in Idus, se autem urgeri acriter. Tu ex meis litteris, quo modo respondeas, moderabere. Plura, cum et Brutum videro et Erotem remittam. Atticae meae excusationem accipio eamque amo plurimum; cui et Piliae salutem.
Footnote 300: _After_ malum _the MSS. have_ in mandatis si abunde, _which was deleted by Lambinus as a gloss_.
* * * * * Page 371 hope have we, then? In Pansa, when he enters office? There is nothing but midsummer madness in their drunken dreams.
About the £2,000[301]: well done! Put my son's affairs straight. For Ovius has just come, and brings much satisfactory news; among other things, what is no bad hearing, that £700[302] is enough, quite enough, but that Xeno treats him very sparingly and niggardly. The excess over the rental of the town houses that your bill of exchange cost, may be reckoned to the year, in which there was the additional expense of the journey. From the 1st of April on let him have up to £800,[303] for that is the rent of the city property now. Some sort of provision must be made for him when he comes to Rome. For I don't think he could endure that woman as a mother-in-law. I refused Pindarus' offer for the villa at Cumae. Now let me tell you why I have sent a messenger. Young Quintus is promising to be as prim as a puritan: and both he and his father have begged me to go bail to you for him, but on the condition that you only believe it when you see it. I shall give him a letter according to his fancy, but don't take any notice of it. I am writing now to prevent you from thinking that I do. God grant he keeps his promise. It would be a satisfaction to everybody. But I—I won't say any more. He is leaving on the 9th. For he says there is some money to be paid over on the 15th, but that he is very hard pressed. You will judge from my letter how to answer. More when I have seen Brutus and am sending Eros back. I accept dear Attica's apology and send her my best love. Give my regards to her and Pilia.
Footnote 301: 210 sestertia.
Footnote 302: 72 sestertia.
Footnote 303: 80 sestertia.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Puteolano V Idus Quint. a. 710_] VI Idus duas epistulas accepi, unam a meo tabellario, alteram a Bruti.
De Buthrotiis longe alia fama in his locis fuerat, sed cum aliis multis hoc ferendum. Erotem remisi citius, quam constitueram, ut esset, qui Hortensio et Ouiae[304] quibus quidem ait se Idibus constituisse.
Hortensius vero impudenter. Nihil enim debetur ei nisi ex tertia pensione, quae est Kal. Sext.; ex qua pensione ipsa maior pars est ei soluta aliquanto ante diem. Sed haec Eros videbit Idibus.
Footnote 304: De Publilio autem, quod perscribi oportet, moram non puto esse faciendam. Sed, cum videas, quantum de iure nostro decesserimus, qui de residuis ¯CCCC¯ HS ¯CC¯ praesentia solverimus, reliqua rescribamus, loqui cum eo, si tibi videbitur, poteris eum commodum nostrum exspectare debere, cum tanta sit a nobis iactura facta iuris. Sed, amabo te, mi Attice (videsne, quam blande?), omnia nostra, quoad eris Romae, ita gerito, regito, gubernato, ut nihil a me exspectes. Quamquam enim reliqua satis apta sunt ad solvendum, tamen fit saepe, ut ii, qui debent, non respondeant ad tempus. Si quid eius modi acciderit, ne quid tibi sit fama mea potius. Non modo versura, verum etiam venditione, si ita res coget, nos vindicabis.
* * * * * Page 373 II CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
On the 10th I received two letters, one by my own messenger, another from Brutus'. Here the story about the Buthrotians was very different; but that, like many other things, we must put up with. I have sent Eros back sooner than I intended, that there may be someone to pay Hortensius and Ovia, with whom, indeed, he says he had made an appointment for the 15th. It is really shameless of Hortensius, for there is nothing owing to him except on the third instalment, which is due on the 1st of August; and the greater part of that instalment has been paid some time before the proper date. But Eros will see to that on the 15th.
In Publilius' case I don't think there ought to be any delay in letting him have a draft for what is owing. But, when you see how much I have yielded my rights in paying up half of a balance of £4,000[305] in ready money, and now giving a bill for the rest, you may, if you think fit, tell him that he ought to await my convenience, when I have waived so much of my rights. But please, my dear Atticus—see how coaxingly I put it—do transact, regulate, and manage all my affairs while you are in Rome, without waiting for a hint from me. For though I have sufficient outstanding debts to meet my creditors, it often happens that the debtors don't pay at the proper time. If anything of that sort happens, consider nothing so much as my credit. Preserve it not only by raising a fresh loan, but by selling if necessary.
Footnote 305: 400 sestertia. The money was a repayment of the dowry Cicero had received with his second wife, whom he had since divorced.
* * * * * Page 374 Bruto tuae litterae gratae erant. Fui enim apud illum multas horas in Neside, cum paulo ante tuas litteras accepissem. Delectari mihi Tereo videbatur et habere maiorem Accio quam Antonio gratiam. Mihi autem quo laetiora sunt, eo plus stomachi et molestiae est populum Romanum manus suas non in defendenda re publica, sed in plaudendo consumere. Mihi quidem videntur istorum animi incendi etiam ad repraesentandam improbitatem suam. Sed tamen, "dúm modo doleant áliquid, doleant quídlibet."
Consilium meum quod ais cotidie magis laudari, non moleste fero, exspectabamque, si quid de eo ad me scriberes. Ego enim in varios sermones incidebam. Quin etiam idcirco trahebam, ut quam diutissime integrum esset. Sed, quoniam furcilla extrudimur, Brundisium cogito.
Facilior enim et exploratior devitatio legionum fore videtur quam piratarum, qui apparere dicuntur.
Sestius VI Idus exspectabatur, sed non venerat, quod sciam. Cassius cum classicula sua venerat. Ego, cum eum vidissem, V Id. in Pompeianum cogitabam, inde Aeculanum. Nosti reliqua. De Tutia ita putaram. De Aebutio non credo nec tamen curo plus quam tu. Planco et Oppio scripsi equidem, quoniam rogaras, sed, si tibi videbitur, ne necesse habueris reddere. Cum enim tua causa fecerint omnia, vereor, ne meas litteras supervacaneas arbitrentur, * * * * * Page 375 Brutus was pleased with your letter. I spent several hours with him at Nesis, just after I received your letter. He seemed to be delighted at the Tereus incident, and to feel more grateful to Accius than to Antonius.[306] For my part the better the news is, the more it annoys and pains me, that the Roman people use their hands not for defending the constitution but for clapping. It seems to me that the Caesarian party is possessed of a positive mania for parading its disloyalty.
However, "so they but suffer, be it what it will."[307] Footnote 306: There had been some exhibition of public feeling at the performance of Accius' _Tereus_ at the games given by Brutus. Here, and in the _Philippics_ II. 31, it is implied that it was favourable to Brutus, but Appius, _B.C._ III. 24, states that outbursts against Caesar's assassins drove them to decide on leaving Italy.
Footnote 307: From Afranius. Cf. Cicero, _Tusc. Disp._ IV. 45 and 55.
You say my plan is daily more commended. I am not sorry, and I am looking forward to anything you may say about it. For I have met with various opinions; and, indeed, for that reason I am hesitating as long as possible before committing myself. But since I am being turned out with a pitchfork, I am thinking of Brundisium. For it seems to me to be more certain and easier to avoid the soldiers than the pirates, who are said to be in evidence.
I expected Sestius on the 10th, but he has not come, so far as I know.
Cassius has arrived with his little fleet. When I have seen him, I am thinking of going on the 11th to Pompeii, and thence to Aeculanum. You know the rest. About Tutia, that is what I thought. As for Aebutius, I don't believe it; nor do I care any more than you do. I have written of course to Plancus and Oppius, as you asked me: but, if you think better of it, don't hold yourself bound to deliver the letters. For, since they have done it all for your sake, I fear my letters * * * * * Page 376 Oppio quidem utique, quem tibi amicissimum cognovi. Verum, ut voles.
Tu, quoniam scribis hiematurum te in Epiro, feceris mihi gratum, si ante eo veneris, quam mihi in Italiam te auctore veniendum est. Litteras ad me quam saepissime; si de rebus minus necessariis, aliquem nanctus; sin autem erit quid maius, domo mittito.
Ἡρακλείδειον, si Brundisium salvi, adoriemur. "De gloria" misi tibi.
Custodies igitur, ut soles, sed notentur eclogarii, quos Salvius bonos auditores nactus in convivio dumtaxat legat. Mihi valde placent, mallem tibi. Etiam atque etiam vale.
III CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Pompeiano XVI K. Sext. a. 710_] Tu vero sapienter (nunc demum enim rescribo iis litteris, quas mihi misisti convento Antonio Tiburi) sapienter igitur, quod manus dedisti, quodque etiam ultro gratias egisti. Certe enim, ut scribis, deseremur ocius a re publica quam a re familiari. Quod vero scribis te cotidie magis delectare "O Tite, si quid," auges mihi scribendi alacritatem.
Quod Erotem non sine munusculo exspectare te dicis, gaudeo non fefellisse eam rem opinionem tuam; sed tamen idem σύνταγμα misi ad te retractatius, et quidem ἀρχέτυπον ipsum crebris locis inculcatum et refectum. Hunc tu tralatum in macrocollum lege arcano convivis tuis, * * * * * Page 377 may appear superfluous to them—to Oppius at any rate, as I know he is a great admirer of yours. But just as you please.
As you say you are going to spend the winter in Epirus, I shall take it kindly if you will come before the time at which you advise me to return to Italy. Send me letters as often as possible; if on matters of little importance, by any messenger you can find; but if on important affairs, send some one of your own.
I will attempt a work in Heracleides' style, if I get safe to Brundisium. I am sending you my _De Gloria_. Please keep it as usual, but have select passages marked for Salvius to read when he has an appropriate party to dinner. I am very pleased with them, and I hope you will be too. Farewell, and yet again farewell.
III CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
At last I am answering the letter you sent me after meeting Antony at Tibur. Well, then, you were wise in giving in and even going so far as to thank him. For certainly, as you say, we shall be robbed of our constitution before we are robbed of our private property. So you take more and more delight in my treatise on Old Age daily. That increases my energy in writing. You say you expect Eros not to come to you empty-handed. I am glad you have not been disappointed in the event; but at the same time I am sending you the same composition more carefully revised, indeed the original copy, with plenty of additions between the lines and corrections. Have it copied on large paper and read it privately to your guests; but, if you love me, do it * * * * * Page 378 sed, si me amas, hilaris et bene acceptis, ne in me stomachum erumpant, cum sint tibi irati.
De Cicerone velim ita sit, ut audimus. De Xenone coram cognoscam; quamquam nihil ab eo arbitror neque indiligenter neque inliberaliter. De Herode faciam, ut mandas, et ea, quae scribis, ex Saufeio et e Xenone cognoscam. De Quinto filio gaudeo tibi meas litteras prius a tabellario meo quam ab ipso redditas; quamquam te nihil fefellisset. Verum tamen —.
Sed exspecto, quid ille tecum, quid tu vicissim, nec dubito, quin suo more uterque. Sed eas litteras Curium mihi spero redditurum. Qui quidem etsi per se est amabilis a meque diligitur, tamen accedet magnus cumulus commendationis tuae.
Litteris tuis satis responsum est; nunc audi, quod, etsi intellego scribi necesse non esse, scribo tamen. Multa me movent in discessu, in primis mehercule quod diiungor a te. Movet etiam navigationis labor alienus non ab aetate solum nostra, verum etiam a dignitate tempusque discessus subabsurdum. Relinquimus enim pacem, ut ad bellum revertamur, quodque temporis in praediolis nostris et belle aedificatis et satis amoenis consumi potuit, in peregrinatione consumimus. Consolantur haec: aut proderimus aliquid Ciceroni, aut quantum profici possit, iudicabimus. Deinde tu iam, ut spero, et ut promittis, aderis. Quod quidem si acciderit, omnia nobis erunt meliora. Maxime autem me angit ratio reliquorum meorum. Quae quamquam explicata * * * * * Page 379 when they are in a good temper and have had a good dinner, for I don't want them to vent on me the anger they feel towards you.
In my son's case I hope things may be as we hear. About Xeno I shall know when I see him, though I don't suppose he is neglecting his duty or acting meanly. I will do as you say about Herodes, and will find out what you mention from Saufeius and Xeno. As for young Quintus, I am glad my letter was delivered by my messenger sooner than the one he took himself, though you would not have been taken in anyhow. However—but I am anxious to hear what he said to you and what you answered, though I have no doubt you both behaved characteristically. I hope Curius will deliver that letter to me. Though he is pleasant enough and I like him myself, still your recommendation will add the crowning grace.
I have answered your letter sufficiently; now hear what I am going to say, though I know there is no necessity for me to say it. In regard to my journey I am distressed about many things, the chief being that I am separated from you. Then again there is the fatigue of the voyage, a thing unsuitable not only to my age but to my rank too, and the time of my departure is rather ridiculous. For I am leaving peace to return to war, and wasting in travelling time that might be spent in my country houses, which are comfortably built and pleasantly situated. My consolations are these. I shall either benefit my son or see how much he can be benefited. Then again, as I hope and as you promise, you will