"What, so much leisure from your own affairs"[46] that you have found time to read the _Orator_ too. Bravo! I am pleased to hear it, and shall be still more pleased if you will get your copyists to alter Eupolis to Aristophanes[47] not only in your own copy but in others too. Caesar seemed to me to be amused Footnote 46: Footnote 47: In the quotation from Aristophanes, _Ach._ 530, in _Orat._ 29.
* * * * * Page 18 mihi irridere visus est "quaeso" illud tuum, quod erat et εὐπινὲς et urbanum. Ita porro te sine cura esse iussit, ut mihi quidem dubitationem omnem tolleret. Atticam doleo tam diu; sed, quoniam iam sine horrore est, spero esse, ut volumus.
VII CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano m. interc. post. a. 708_] Quae desideras, omnia scripsi in codicillis eosque Eroti dedi; breviter, sed etiam plura, quam quaeris, in iis de Cicerone; cuius quidem cogitationis initium tu mihi attulisti. Locutus sum cum eo liberalissime; quod ex ipso velim, si modo tibi erit commodum, sciscitere. Sed quid differo? Exposui te ad me detulisse, et quid vellet et quid requireret. Velle Hispaniam, requirere liberalitatem. De liberalitate dixi, quantum Publilius, quantum flamen Lentulus filio. De Hispania duo attuli, primum idem quod tibi, me vereri vituperationem.
Non satis esse, si haec arma reliquissemus? etiam contraria? Deinde fore ut angeretur, cum a fratre familiaritate et omni gratia vinceretur.
Vellem magis liberalitate uti mea quam sua libertate. Sed tamen permisi; tibi enim intellexeram non nimis displicere. Ego etiam atque etiam cogitabo, teque, ut idem facias, rogo. Magna res est; simplex est manere, illud anceps. Verum videbimus.
* * * * * Page 19 at your use of _quaeso_, as rather quaint and cockneyfied. He bade you have no anxiety in such a way that I had no doubts left.[48] I am sorry Attica's attack lasts so long: but, as she has lost her shivering fits now, I hope it will be all right.
Footnote 48: There was a danger of Atticus' land at Buthrotum being confiscated, as Caesar was thinking of planting a colony there.
VII CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
I have scribbled a note with all you want on a tablet, and given it to Eros—quite shortly, but more than you ask for. In it I have spoken about my son, of whose intentions you gave me the first hint. I took a most liberal tone with him, and, if you think it convenient, I should like you to ask him about that. But why put it off? I pointed out that you had told me what he wished to do and what he wanted: "he wished to go to Spain, and wanted a liberal allowance." As for the allowance, I said I would give him as much as Publilius or Lentulus the flamen gave their sons. Against Spain I brought forward two arguments, the first, the one I used to you, that I was afraid of adverse criticism: "Was it not enough that we abandoned one side? Must we take the other?" The second that he would be annoyed, if his cousin enjoyed Caesar's intimacy and general goodwill more than he did. I should prefer him to make use of my liberal offer rather than of his liberty. However I gave him permission; for I saw you did not really dislike the idea. I shall think the matter over carefully, and I hope you will too. It is an important point: to stay is simple, to go risky. But we shall see.
* * * * * Page 20 De Balbo et in codicillis scripseram et ita cogito, simul ac redierit.
Sin ille tardius, ego tamen triduum, et, quod praeterii, Dolabella etiam mecum.
VIII CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano m. interc. post. a. 708_] De Cicerone multis res placet. Comes est idoneus. Sed de prima pensione ante videamus. Adest enim dies, et ille currit. Scribe, quaeso, quid referat Celer egisse Caesarem cum candidatis, utrum ipse in fenicularium an in Martium campum cogitet. Et scire sane velim, numquid necesse sit comitiis esse Romae. Nam et Piliae satis faciendum est et utique Atticae.
IX CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Asturae VI K. Sext. a. 709_] Ne ego essem his libenter atque id cotidie magis, ni esset ea causa, quam tibi superioribus litteris scripsi. Nihil hac solitudine iucundius, nisi paulum interpellasset Amyntae filius. Ὢ ἀπεραντολογίας ἀηδοῦς!
Cetera noli putare amabiliora fieri posse * * * * * Page 21 About Balbus I have written in the tablet, and I think of doing as you say, as soon as he comes back. If he is rather slow about it, still I shall be three days there; and, I forgot to say, Dolabella will be with me too.
VIII CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
My plan for my son meets with general approval. I have found a suitable companion.[49] But let us first see to the payment of an instalment of Tullia's dowry. The time is near and Dolabella is in a hurry. Please write and tell me what Celer says Caesar has settled about the candidates, whether he thinks of going to the field of Fennel or the field of Mars.[50] I should much like to know too whether I must come to Rome for the elections. For I must do my duty by Pilia and anyhow by Attica.
Footnote 49: Cicero wished to send him to Athens with L. Tullius Montanus.
Footnote 50: _i.e._ will he appoint the magistrates in Spain or let the elections at Rome take place? The _campus Fenicularius_ was near Tarraco.
IX CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
I should be perfectly comfortable here and become more and more so every day, if it weren't for the reason I mentioned in my former letter.
Nothing could be pleasanter than this solitude, except for the occasional interruptions of Amyntas' son.[51] How his chatter does bore one! All the rest is more charming than you can imagine, the villa, the shore, Footnote 51: _i.e._ L. Marcius Philippus, jestingly referred to as Philip, king of Macedonia.
* * * * * Page 22 villa, litore, prospectu maris, tumulis, his rebus omnibus. Sed neque haec digna longioribus litteris, nec erat, quod scriberem, et somnus urgebat.
X CICERO ATTICO SAL.
Male mehercule de Athamante. Tuus autem dolor humanus is quidem, sed magno opere moderandus. Consolationum autem multae viae, sed illa rectissima: impetret ratio, quod dies impetratura est. Alexin vero curemus, imaginem Tironis, quem aegrum Romam remisi, et, si quid habet collis ἐπιδήμιον, ad me cum Tisameno[52] transferamus. Tota domus vacat superior, ut scis. Hoc puto valde ad rem pertinere.
Footnote 52: XI CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano m. interc. post. a. 708_] Male de Seio. Sed omnia humana tolerabilia ducenda. Ipsi enim quid sumus, aut quam diu haec curaturi sumus? Ea videamus, quae ad nos magis pertinent nec tamen multo, quid agamus de senatu. Et, ut ne quid praetermittam, Caesonius ad me litteras misit Postumiam Sulpici domum ad se venisse. De Pompei Magni filia tibi rescripsi nihil me hoc tempore cogitare; alteram vero illam, quam tu scribis, * * * * * Page 23 the sea view, the hillocks and everything. But they don't deserve a longer letter, and I have nothing else to say, and I'm very sleepy.
X CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
I am very sorry to hear about Athamas. But your grief, though it is a kindly weakness, should be kept well in check. There are many roads to consolation, but this is the straightest: let reason bring about what time is sure to bring about. Let us take care of Alexis, the living image of Tiro, whom I have sent back to Rome ill, and, if there is any epidemic on the hill,[53] send him to my place with Tisamenus. The whole of the upper story is vacant as you know. This I think is an excellent suggestion.
Footnote 53: Atticus' house was on the Quirinal hill.
XI CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
I am sorry to hear about Seius. But one has to learn to put up with all human troubles. For what are we ourselves and how long will they be bothering us? Let us look to a thing that is more in our power, though not very much,—what we are to do about the Senate. And, before I forget it, Caesonius sent me word that Sulpicius' wife Postumia had paid him a visit. As to Pompey's daughter I answered you saying I was not thinking of her at present. I suppose you know the other lady you * * * * * Page 24 puto, nosti. Nihil vidi foedius. Sed adsum. Coram igitur.
Obsignata epistula accepi tuas. Atticae hilaritatem libenter audio.
Commotiunculis συμπάσχω.
XII CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Asturae XVII K. Apr. a. 709_] De dote tanto magis perpurga. Balbi regia condicio est delegandi. Quoquo modo confice. Turpe est rem impeditam iacere. Insula Arpinas habere potest germanam ἀποθέωσιν; sed vereor, ne minorem τιμὴν habere videatur ἐκτοπισμός. Est igitur animus in hortis; quos tamen inspiciam, cum venero.
De Epicure, ut voles; etsi μεθαρμόσομαι in posterum genus hoc personarum. Incredibile est, quam ea quidam requirant. Ad antiquos igitur; ἀνεμέσητον γάρ. Nihil habeo, ad te quod scribam, sed tamen institui cotidie mittere, ut eliciam tuas litteras, non quo aliquid ex iis exspectem, sed nescio quo modo tamen exspecto. Quare, sive habes quid sive nil habes, scribe tamen aliquid teque cura.
* * * * * Page 25 write about. The ugliest thing I ever saw. But I am coming to town at once: so we will discuss it together.
When I had sealed this letter I received yours. I am very glad to hear Attica is so cheerful; and I'm grieved about the slight indisposition.
XII CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
With regard to the dowry make all the more effort to clear the business up. To make over the debt to Balbus is a high-handed proceeding.[54] Get it settled anyhow. It is disgraceful to let the thing hang fire. The island at Arpinum would be an excellent place for a shrine, but I'm afraid it's too far out of the way to convey much honour. So my mind is set on the garden: however I'll have a look at it, when I arrive.
Footnote 54: The first sentence refers to the repayment of Tullia's dowry; the second to Cicero's debt to his divorced wife. This Terentia had made over to Balbus in order to enforce payment quicker. The shrine mentioned below was intended to be in honour of Tullia.
About Epicurus you shall have your way:[55] but in the future I shall change my plan as regards the persons in my dialogues. You'd never believe how eager some people are for a place. So I shall confine myself to the ancients: that avoids invidious distinctions. I have nothing to say; but I've made up my mind to write every day to draw letters from you, not that there is anything I expect from them, still somehow or other I do expect something. So whether you have any news or not, anyhow write something; and take care of yourself.
Footnote 55: Apparently Atticus had asked to have the Epicurean view in the _De Finibus_ put in the mouth of some friend of his.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Asturae Non. Mart. a. 709_] Commovet me Attica; etsi adsentior Cratero. Bruti litterae scriptae et prudenter et amice multas mihi tamen lacrimas attulerunt. Me haec solitudo minus stimulat quam ista celebritas. Te unum desidero; sed litteris non difficilius utor, quam si domi essem. Ardor tamen ille idem urget et manet, non mehercule indulgente me, sed tamen repugnante.
Quod scribis de Appuleio, nihil puto opus esse tua contentione, nec Balbo et Oppio; quibus quidem ille receperat mihique etiam iusserat nuntiari se molestum omnino non futurum. Sed cura, ut excuser morbi causa in dies singulos. Laenas hoc receperat. Prende C. Septimium, L.
Statilium. Denique nemo negabit se iuraturum, quem rogaris. Quod si erit durius, veniam et ipse perpetuum morbum iurabo. Cum enim mihi carendum sit conviviis, malo id lege videri facere quam dolore. Cocceium velim appelles. Quod enim dixerat, non facit. Ego autem volo aliquod emere latibulum et perfugium doloris mei.
XIV CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Asturae VIII Id. Mart. a. 709_] De me excusando apud Appuleium dederam ad te pridie litteras. Nihil esse negotii arbitror. Quemcumque appellaris, nemo negabit. Sed Septimium * * * * * Page 27 XIII CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
I am upset about Attica, though I agree with Craterus. Brutus' letter, though full of wise saws and friendliness, drew from me many tears. This solitude stirs my grief less than your crowded city. You are the only person I miss; but I find no more difficulty about my literary work than if I were at home. Still the old anguish oppresses me and will not leave me, though I give you my word I do not give way to it, but fight against it.
As to what you say about Appuleius, I don't think you need exert yourself, or trouble Balbus and Oppius. He has promised them and told them to let me know that he will not bother me at all. But take care that my plea of ill-health is put in every day. Laenas promised to certify. Add C. Septimius, and L. Statilius. Indeed anyone you ask will pass his word for it. But if there is any difficulty, I will come and swear myself to chronic ill-health. Since I am going to miss the banquets,[56] I would rather seem to do so according to the rules than on account of grief. Please dun Cocceius. He hasn't fulfilled his promise: and I am wanting to buy a hiding-place and a refuge for my sorrow.
Footnote 56: Apparently an augur had to bring evidence of ill-health attested by three other augurs to escape attendance on regular meetings and inaugural banquets.
XIV CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
I wrote to you yesterday about offering my excuses to Appuleius. I don't think there will be any bother. Any one you apply to is sure not to * * * * * Page 28 vide et Laenatem et Statilium; tribus enim opus est. Sed mihi Laenas totum receperat.
Quod scribis a Iunio te appellatum, omnino Cornificius locuples est; sed tamen scire velim, quando dicar spopondisse et pro patre anne pro filio.
Neque eo minus, ut scribis, procuratores Cornifici et Appuleium praediatorem videbis.
Quod me ab hoc maerore recreari vis, facis ut omnia; sed me mihi non defuisse tu testis es. Nihil enim de maerore minuendo scriptum ab ullo est, quod ego non domi tuae legerim. Sed omnem consolationem vincit dolor. Quin etiam feci quod profecto ante me nemo, ut ipse me per litteras consolarer. Quem librum ad te mittam, si descripserint librarii. Adfirmo tibi nullam consolationem esse talem. Totos dies scribo, non quo proficiam quid, sed tantisper impedior; non equidem satis (vis enim urget), sed relaxor tamen omnique vi nitor non ad animum, sed ad vultum ipsum, si queam, reficiendum, idque faciens interdum mihi peccare videor, interdum peccaturus esse, nisi faciam.
Solitudo aliquid adiuvat, sed multo plus proficeret, si tu tamen interesses. Quae mihi una causa est hinc discedendi; nam pro malis recte habebat. Quamquam id ipsum doleo. Non enim iam in me idem esse poteris.
Perierunt illa, quae amabas.
De Bruti ad me litteris scripsi ad te antea. Prudenter * * * * * Page 29 refuse. But see Septimius, Laenas and Statilius. There must be three.
However Laenas undertook the whole matter for me.
You say you have been dunned by Junius. Well anyhow Cornificius is rich enough to pay: but I should like to know when they say I went bail for him, and whether it was for the father or the son. Still for all that, do as you say, and see Cornificius' agents and Appuleius the estate agent.
You are as kind as usual in wishing that I could get some relief from my grief; but you can bear witness that it is no fault of mine. For every word that has been written by anyone on the subject of assuaging grief I read at your house. But my sorrow is beyond any consolation. Why, I have done what no one has ever done before, tried to console myself by writing a book. I will send it to you as soon as it is copied out. I assure you no other consolation equals it. I write the whole day long, not that it does any good, but it acts as a temporary check: not very much of that, for the violence of my grief is too strong; but still I get some relief and try with all my might to attain some composure of countenance, if not of mind. In so doing sometimes I think I am doing wrong, and sometimes that I should be doing wrong, if I were not to do it. Solitude helps a little, but it would have much more effect, if you at any rate could be with me: and that is my only reason for leaving, for the place is as right as any could be under the circumstances.
However even the idea of seeing you upsets me: for now you can never feel the same towards me. I have lost all you used to love.
I have mentioned Brutus' letter to me before: * * * * * Page 30 scriptae, sed nihil, quod me adiuvarent. Quod ad te scripsit, id vellem, ut ipse adesset. Certe aliquid, quoniam me tam valde amat, adiuvaret.
Quodsi quid scies, scribas ad me velim, maxime autem, Pansa quando. De Attica doleo, credo tamen Cratero. Piliam angi veta. Satis est maerere pro omnibus.
XV CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Asturae VII Id. Mart. a. 709_] Apud Appuleium, quoniam in perpetuum non placet, in dies ut excuser, videbis. In hac solitudine careo omnium colloquio, cumque mane me in silvam abstrusi densam et asperam, non exeo inde ante vesperum. Secundum te nihil est mihi amicius solitudine. In ea mihi omnis sermo est cum litteris. Eum tamen interpellat fletus; cui repugno, quoad possum, sed adhuc pares non sumus. Bruto, ut suades, rescribam. Eas litteras cras habebis. Cum erit, cui des, dabis.
XVI CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Asturae VI Id. Mart. a. 709_] Te tuis negotiis relictis nolo ad me venire, ego potius accedam, si diutius impediere. Etsi ne discessissem quidem e conspectu tuo, nisi me plane nihil ulla res adiuvaret. Quodsi esset aliquod levamen, id * * * * * Page 31 it was full of wise saws, but nothing that could help me. To you he wrote asking if I should like his company. Yes, it would do me some good, as he has so great an affection for me. If you have any news, please write and let me know, especially when Pansa is going.[57] I am sorry about Attica, but I believe Craterus. Tell Pilia not to worry: my sorrow is enough for all.
Footnote 57: To his province in Cisalpine Gaul.
XV CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
See that my excuses are paid to Appuleius every day, since you do not approve of one general excuse. In this solitude I don't speak to a soul.
In the morning I hide myself in a dense and wild wood, and I don't come out till the evening. After you I have not a greater friend than solitude. In it my only converse is with books, though tears interrupt it. I fight against them as much as I can: but as yet I am not equal to the struggle. I will answer Brutus as you suggest. You shall have the letter to-morrow. Give it to a messenger, when you have one.
XVI CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
I do not wish you to neglect your business to come to me. I would rather go to you, if you are delayed any longer. However I should never even have come out of sight of you, if it were not that I absolutely could not get relief from anything. If there were any alleviation for my sorrow, it would * * * * * Page 32 esset in te uno, et, cum primum ab aliquo poterit esse, a te erit. Nunc tamen ipsum sine te esse non possum. Sed nec tuae domi probabatur, nec meae poteram, nec, si propius essem uspiam, tecum tamen essem. Idem enim te impediret, quo minus mecum esses, quod nunc etiam impedit. Mihi nihil adhuc aptius fuit hac solitudine; quam vereor ne Philippus tollat. Heri enim vesperi venerat. Me scriptio et litterae non leniunt, sed obturbant.
XVII CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Asturae IV Id. Mart. a. 709_] Marcianus ad me scripsit me excusatum esse apud Appuleium a Laterense, Nasone, Laenate, Torquato, Strabone. Iis velim meo nomine reddendas litteras cures gratum mihi eos fecisse. Quod pro Cornificio me abhinc amplius annis XXV spopondisse dicit Flavius, etsi reus locuples est et Appuleius praediator liberalis, tamen velim des operam, ut investiges ex consponsorum tabulis, sitne ita (mihi enim ante aedilitatem meam nihil erat cum Cornificio. Potest tamen fieri; sed scire certum velim), et appelles procuratores, si tibi videtur. Quamquam quid ad me? Verum tamen. Pansae profectionem scribes, cum scies. Atticam salvere iube et eam cura, obsecro, diligenter. Piliae salutem.
* * * * * Page 33 be in you alone, and, as soon as any will be possible from anyone, it will come from you. Yet at this very moment I cannot bear your absence.
But it did not seem right to stay in your house and I could not stay at my own house; and, if I stayed somewhere nearer, still I should not be with you, for you would be prevented from being with me by the same reason that you are now. For myself, this solitude has suited me better than anything so far, though I am afraid Philippus will destroy it. He came yesterday evening. Writing and reading do not soften my feelings, they only distract them.
XVII CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
Marcianus has written to tell me that my excuses were made with Appuleius by Laterensis, Naso, Laenas, Torquatus and Strabo. Please send them a letter on my behalf, thanking them for what they have done. As for what Flavius says, that more than 25 years ago I went bail for Cornificius, though the defendant is well off, and Appuleius is a respectable estate agent, I should be glad, if you would verify the truth of that statement from the account books of the other sureties; for before my aedileship I had no dealings with Cornificius. It may be so: but I should like to know for certain. And please demand payment from his agents, if you think it right. However it's of no importance: but still—. Let me know when Pansa departs, when you know yourself. Pay my respects to Attica, and pray look after her well. Greet Pilia for me.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Asturae V Id. Mart. a. 709_] Dum recordationes fugio, quae quasi morsu quodam dolorem efficiunt, refugio ad te admonendum. Quod velim mihi ignoscas, cuicuimodi est.
Etenim habeo non nullos ex iis, quos nunc lectito auctores, qui dicant fieri id oportere, quod saepe tecum egi et quod a te approbari volo, de fano illo dico, de quo tantum, quantum me amas, velim cogites. Equidem neque de genere dubito (placet enim mihi Cluati) neque de re (statutum est enim), de loco non numquam. Velim igitur cogites. Ego, quantum his temporibus tam eruditis fieri potuerit, profecto illam consecrabo omni genere monimentorum ab omnium ingeniis sumptorum et Graecorum et Latinorum. Quae res forsitan sit refricatura vulnus meum. Sed iam quasi voto quodam et promisso me teneri puto, longumque illud tempus, cum non ero, magis me movet quam hoc exiguum, quod mihi tamen nimium longum videtur. Habeo enim nihil temptatis rebus omnibus, in quo acquiescam.
Nam, dum illud tractabam, de quo ad te ante scripsi, quasi fovebam dolores meos; nunc omnia respuo nec quicquam habeo tolerabilius quam solitudinem; quam, quod eram veritus, non obturbavit Philippus. Nam, ut heri me salutavit, statim Romam profectus est.
Epistulam, quam ad Brutum, ut tibi placuerat, scripsi, misi ad te.
Curabis cum tua perferendam.
* * * * * Page 35 XVIII CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
In trying to escape from the painful sting of recollection I take refuge in recalling something to your memory. Whatever you think of it, please pardon me. The fact is I find that some of the authors over whom I am poring now, consider appropriate the very thing that I have often discussed with you, and I hope you approve of it. I mean the shrine.
Please give it all the attention your affection for me dictates. For my part I have no doubt about the design (I like Cluatius' design), nor about the erection (on that I am quite determined); but I have some doubts about the place. So please consider it. I shall use all the opportunities of this enlightened age to consecrate her memory by every kind of memorial borrowed from the genius of all the masters, Greek and Latin. Perhaps it will only gall my wound: but I consider myself pledged by a kind of vow or promise; and I am more concerned about the long ages, when I shall not be here, than about my short day, which, short though it is, seems all too long to me. I have tried everything and find nothing that gives me rest. For, while I was engaged on the essay I mentioned before, I was to some extent fostering my grief. Now I reject everything and find nothing more tolerable than solitude. Philippus has not disturbed it as I feared: for after paying me a visit yesterday he returned at once to Rome.
I have sent you the letter I have written at your suggestion to Brutus.
Please have it delivered with your own. However I have sent you a copy of it, * * * * * Page 36 Eius tamen misi ad te exemplum, ut, si minus placeret, ne mitteres.
Domestica quod ais ordine administrari, scribes, quae sint ea. Quaedam enim exspecto. Cocceius vide ne frustretur. Nam, Libo quod pollicetur, ut Eros scribit, non incertum puto. De sorte mea Sulpicio confido et Egnatio scilicet. De Appuleio quid est quod labores, cum sit excusatio facilis?
Tibi ad me venire, ut ostendis, vide ne non sit facile. Est enim longum iter, discedentemque te, quod celeriter tibi erit fortasse faciendum, non sine magno dolore dimittam. Sed omnia, ut voles. Ego enim, quicquid feceris, id cum recte turn etiam mea causa factum putabo.
XVIIIa CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Asturae III Id. Mart. a. 709_] Heri, cum ex aliorum litteris cognovissem de Antoni adventu, admiratus sum nihil esse in tuis. Sed erant pridie fortasse scriptae quam datae.
Neque ista quidem curo; sed tamen opinor propter praedes suos accucurrisse.
Quod scribis Terentiam de obsignatoribus mei testamenti loqui, primum tibi persuade me istaec non curare neque esse quicquam aut parvae curae aut novae loci. Sed tamen quid simile? Illa eos non * * * * * Page 37 so that, if you don't approve of it, you may not send it.
You say my private affairs are being properly managed. Write and tell me what they are; for there are some things I am expecting to hear about.
See that Cocceius does not disappoint me: for I count Libo's promise, of which Eros writes, as trustworthy. My capital of course I leave in Sulpicius' and Egnatius' hands. Why trouble yourself about Appuleius, when my excuse is so easily made?
About coming to me as you suggest, take care not to inconvenience yourself. It is a long way, and it will cost me many a pang to let you go again, when you want to go, which may happen very quickly. But just as you please. Whatever you do, I shall count it right and know you have done it for my sake.
XVIIIa CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
When I learned yesterday from other people's letters of Antony's arrival I wondered there was nothing in yours. But perhaps it was written a day earlier than it was dated. It does not matter a bit to me; but I suppose he has rushed back to save his sureties.[58] Footnote 58: Antony had bought Pompey's confiscated property, but had not paid for it, and his sureties were in danger of an execution on their property.
Hence he returned in haste from Narbo, whither he had gone on his way to joining Caesar in Spain. Cf. the second _Philippic_, 76, 77.
You say Terentia is talking about the witnesses to my will. In the first place bear in mind that I am not troubling my head about those things, and this is no time for any new or unimportant business. But anyhow are the two cases parallel? She did * * * * * Page 38 adhibuit, quos existimavit quaesituros, nisi scissent, quid esset. Num id etiam mihi periculi fuit? Sed tamen faciat illa quod ego. Dabo meum testamentum legendum, cui voluerit; intelleget non potuisse honorificentius a me fieri de nepote, quam fecerim. Nam, quod non advocavi ad obsignandum, primum mihi non venit in mentem, deinde ea re non venit, quia nihil attinuit. Tute scis, si modo meministi, me tibi tum dixisse, ut de tuis aliquos adduceres. Quid enim opus erat multis?
Equidem domesticos iusseram. Tum tibi placuit, ut mitterem ad Silium.
Inde est natum, ut ad Publilium; sed necesse neutrum fuit. Hoc tu tractabis, ut tibi videbitur.
XIX CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Asturae prid. Id. Mart. a. 709_] Est his quidem locus amoenus et in mari ipso, qui et Antio et Circeiis aspici possit; sed ineunda nobis ratio est, quem ad modum in omni mutatione dominorum, quae innumerabiles fieri possunt in infinita posteritate, si modo haec stabunt, illud quasi consecratum remanere possit. Equidem iam nihil egeo vectigalibus et parvo contentus esse possum. Cogito interdum trans Tiberim hortos aliquos parare et quidem ob hanc causam maxime: nihil enim video, quod tam celebre esse possit. Sed quos, coram videbimus, ita tamen, ut hac aestate fanum absolutum sit. Tu tamen cum Apella Chio confice de columnis.
* * * * * Page 39 not invite anyone she thought would ask questions, if they did not know the contents of the will. Was I likely to be afraid of anything of the kind? However let her do what I do. I will hand over my will to anyone she likes, to read. She will find I could not have treated my grandson more handsomely than I have. As to my not calling certain people as witnesses, in the first place it never entered my mind, and in the second the reason why it never entered it, was because it was of no importance. You know, if you remember, that I told you to bring some of your friends. What need was there of many? I had asked members of my household. Then you thought I ought to send for Silius. Hence it came about that I sent for Publilius. But neither of them was necessary.
Manage the point as you think fit.
XIX CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
This is certainly a delightful place, right on the sea and within sight of Antium and Circeii. But we must remember how it may change hands an infinite number of times in the countless years to come, if our empire last, and must arrange that that shrine may remain as consecrated ground. For my part I don't want a large income now and can be contented with little. I think at times of buying some gardens across the Tiber, especially for this reason: I don't see any other place that can be so much frequented. But what gardens, we will consider together; provided only that the shrine must be completed this summer. However settle with Apella of Chios about the columns.
* * * * * Page 40 De Cocceio et Libone quae scribis, approbo, maxime quod de iudicatu meo.
De sponsu si quid perspexeris, et tamen quid procuratores Cornifici dicant, velim scire, ita ut in ea re te, cum tam occupatus sis, non multum operae velim ponere. De Antonio Balbus quoque ad me cum Oppio conscripsit, idque tibi placuisse, ne perturbarer. Illis egi gratias. Te tamen, ut iam ante ad te scripsi, scire volo me neque isto nuntio esse perturbatum nec iam ullo perturbatum iri. Pansa si hodie, ut putabas, profectus est, posthac iam incipito scribere ad me, de Bruti adventu quid exspectes, id est quos ad dies. Id, si scies, ubi iam sit, facile coniectura adsequere.
Quod ad Tironem de Terentia scribis, obsecro te, mi Attice, suscipe totum negotium. Vides et officium agi meum quoddam, cui tu es conscius, et, ut non nulli putant, Ciceronis rem. Me quidem id multo magis movet, quod mihi est et sanctius et antiquius, praesertim cum hoc alterum neque sincerum neque firmum putem fore.
XX CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Asturae Id. Mart. a. 709_] Nondum videris perspicere, quam me nec Antonius commoverit, nec quicquam iam eius modi possit commovere. De Terentia autem scripsi ad te eis