XIVCICERO ATTICO SAL.

[Pg 252]facere possum, opto. Quodsi una essem, aliquid fortasse proficere possem videri. Nunc exspectatione crucior.XIVCICERO ATTICO SAL.Scr. in Formiano VIII K. Apr. a. 705Miseram ad teVIIIIK. exemplum epistulae Balbi ad me et Caesaris ad eum. Ecce tibi eodem die Capua litteras accepi ab Q. Pedio Caesarem ad se pridie Idus Martias misisse hoc exemplo:"Pompeius se oppido tenet. Nos ad portas castra habemus. Conamur opus magnum et multorum dierum propter altitudinem maris. Sed tamen nihil est, quod potius faciamus. Ab utroque portus cornu moles iacimus, ut aut illum quam primum traicere, quod habet Brundisi copiarum, cogamus, aut exitu prohibeamus."Ubi est illa pax, de qua Balbus scripserat torqueri se? Ecquid, acerbius ecquid crudelius? Atque eum loqui quidam αὐθεντικῶς narrabat Cn. Carbonis, M. Bruti se poenas persequi, omniumque eorum, in quos Sulla crudelis hoc socio fuisset; nihil Curionem se duce facere, quod non hic Sulla duce fecisset; se ambire reditionem,[108]quibus exsilii poena superioribus legibus non fuisset, ab illo patriae proditores de[108]se ambire reditionemTyrrell and Purser: ad ambitionemMSS.[Pg 253]If I were there, perhaps I might succeed in seeming to be of use. Now I am tormented with waiting.XIVCICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Formiae March 25,B.C.49I sent you on the 26th of March a copy of Balbus' letter to me and of Caesar's letter to him. Then that very day from Capua I got a letter from Q. Pedius saying that Caesar had written to him on the 14th in the following terms:"Pompey confines himself to the town. My camp is at the gates. I am attempting a big job which will take many days on account of the depth of the sea: yet I have no better course. From both wings of the harbour I am building a mole, so that I may either compel him to transship the forces he has here as soon as possible, or prevent him from getting out at all."Where is the peace about which Balbus wrote that he was tormenting himself? Could anything be more bitter, more cruel? Moreover some one told me with authority that Caesar said in conversation he was the avenger of Cn. Carbo, M. Brutus,[109]and all those on whom Sulla with Pompey to help him wreaked his cruelty: Curio under his leadership was doing nothing but what Pompey had done under Sulla's leadership: what he wanted was the restoration of those not punished with exile under the earlier laws, while Pompey had restored those who had[109]Carbo was put to death by Pompey in 82 or 81B.C.; he was consul for the third time with C. Marius the younger. Brutus, the father of Caesar's murderer, was killed by Pompey in 77 or 76B.C., and another M. Brutus committed suicide sooner than fall into his hands.

[Pg 252]

facere possum, opto. Quodsi una essem, aliquid fortasse proficere possem videri. Nunc exspectatione crucior.

Scr. in Formiano VIII K. Apr. a. 705

Miseram ad teVIIIIK. exemplum epistulae Balbi ad me et Caesaris ad eum. Ecce tibi eodem die Capua litteras accepi ab Q. Pedio Caesarem ad se pridie Idus Martias misisse hoc exemplo:

"Pompeius se oppido tenet. Nos ad portas castra habemus. Conamur opus magnum et multorum dierum propter altitudinem maris. Sed tamen nihil est, quod potius faciamus. Ab utroque portus cornu moles iacimus, ut aut illum quam primum traicere, quod habet Brundisi copiarum, cogamus, aut exitu prohibeamus."

Ubi est illa pax, de qua Balbus scripserat torqueri se? Ecquid, acerbius ecquid crudelius? Atque eum loqui quidam αὐθεντικῶς narrabat Cn. Carbonis, M. Bruti se poenas persequi, omniumque eorum, in quos Sulla crudelis hoc socio fuisset; nihil Curionem se duce facere, quod non hic Sulla duce fecisset; se ambire reditionem,[108]quibus exsilii poena superioribus legibus non fuisset, ab illo patriae proditores de

[108]se ambire reditionemTyrrell and Purser: ad ambitionemMSS.

[Pg 253]If I were there, perhaps I might succeed in seeming to be of use. Now I am tormented with waiting.XIVCICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Formiae March 25,B.C.49I sent you on the 26th of March a copy of Balbus' letter to me and of Caesar's letter to him. Then that very day from Capua I got a letter from Q. Pedius saying that Caesar had written to him on the 14th in the following terms:"Pompey confines himself to the town. My camp is at the gates. I am attempting a big job which will take many days on account of the depth of the sea: yet I have no better course. From both wings of the harbour I am building a mole, so that I may either compel him to transship the forces he has here as soon as possible, or prevent him from getting out at all."Where is the peace about which Balbus wrote that he was tormenting himself? Could anything be more bitter, more cruel? Moreover some one told me with authority that Caesar said in conversation he was the avenger of Cn. Carbo, M. Brutus,[109]and all those on whom Sulla with Pompey to help him wreaked his cruelty: Curio under his leadership was doing nothing but what Pompey had done under Sulla's leadership: what he wanted was the restoration of those not punished with exile under the earlier laws, while Pompey had restored those who had[109]Carbo was put to death by Pompey in 82 or 81B.C.; he was consul for the third time with C. Marius the younger. Brutus, the father of Caesar's murderer, was killed by Pompey in 77 or 76B.C., and another M. Brutus committed suicide sooner than fall into his hands.

[Pg 253]

If I were there, perhaps I might succeed in seeming to be of use. Now I am tormented with waiting.

Formiae March 25,B.C.49

I sent you on the 26th of March a copy of Balbus' letter to me and of Caesar's letter to him. Then that very day from Capua I got a letter from Q. Pedius saying that Caesar had written to him on the 14th in the following terms:

"Pompey confines himself to the town. My camp is at the gates. I am attempting a big job which will take many days on account of the depth of the sea: yet I have no better course. From both wings of the harbour I am building a mole, so that I may either compel him to transship the forces he has here as soon as possible, or prevent him from getting out at all."

Where is the peace about which Balbus wrote that he was tormenting himself? Could anything be more bitter, more cruel? Moreover some one told me with authority that Caesar said in conversation he was the avenger of Cn. Carbo, M. Brutus,[109]and all those on whom Sulla with Pompey to help him wreaked his cruelty: Curio under his leadership was doing nothing but what Pompey had done under Sulla's leadership: what he wanted was the restoration of those not punished with exile under the earlier laws, while Pompey had restored those who had

[109]Carbo was put to death by Pompey in 82 or 81B.C.; he was consul for the third time with C. Marius the younger. Brutus, the father of Caesar's murderer, was killed by Pompey in 77 or 76B.C., and another M. Brutus committed suicide sooner than fall into his hands.

[Pg 254]exsilio reductos esse; queri de Milone per vim expulso; neminem tamen se violaturam, nisi qui arma contra. Haec Baebius quidam a Curione III Id. profectus, homo non infans, sed qui de suo illa[110]non dicat. Plane nescio, quid agam. Illim equidem Gnaeum profectum puto. Quicquid est, biduo sciemus. A te nihil ne Anteros quidem litterarum; nec mirum. Quid enim est, quod scribamus? Ego tamen nullum diem praetermitto.[110]qui de suo illaTyrrell: quis ulliMSS.Scripta epistula litterae mihi ante lucem a Lepta Capua redditae sunt Idib. Mart. Pompeium a Brundisio conscendisse, at Caesarem a. d,VIIKal. Apriles Capuae fore.XVCICERO ATTICO SAL.Scr. in Formiano VIII K. Apr a. 705Cum dedissem ad te litteras, ut scires Caesarem CapuaeVIIKal. fore, allatae mihi Capua sunt et hic copiam mihi et[111]in Albano apud CurionemVK. fore. Eum cum videro, Arpinum pergam. Si mihi veniam, quam peto, dederit, utar illius condicione; si minus, impetrabo aliquid a me ipso. Ille, ut ad me scripsit, legiones singulas posuit Brundisi, Tarenti, Siponti. Claudere mihi videtur maritimos exitus et tamen ipse Graeciam spectare potius quam Hispanias. Sed haec longius absunt. Me nunc et congressus huius stimulat (is vero adest), et primas eius actiones[111]et hic copiam mihi etMadvig; et hoc mihi etMSS.[Pg 255]been traitors: he resents Pompey's violent banishment of Milo, but would only harm those who bear arms against him. This tale was told me by one Baebius, who came from Curio on the 13th, a man who is no fool, but not smart enough to invent such a tale. I am quite at a loss what to do. From Brundisium, I fancy Pompey must have set out. Whatever has happened, we shall know in a few days. I haven't a letter from you not even by Anteros, and no wonder. What is there to write about? Still I do not omit one day.When this was written a letter came to me before daylight from Lepta dated Capua the 15th of March. Pompey has embarked from Brundisium. Caesar is due at Capua on the 26th.XVCICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Formiae, March 25,B.C.49After I had sent you a letter informing you that Caesar would be at Capua on the 26th, a letter reached me from Capua saying that Caesar would see me either here or in Curio's place at Alba on the 28th. When I have seen him, I shall go to Arpinum. If he should grant me the privilege I ask, I shall put up with his terms. If not, then I shall consult myself as to what to do. As Caesar wrote to me, he has stationed one legion each at Brundisium, Tarentum and Sipontum. He seems to me to be cutting off retreat by sea and yet himself to have Greece in view rather than Spain. But these are remote considerations. Now I am stirred by the thought of meeting him; for the meeting is close at hand, and I am alarmed at the first steps he

[Pg 254]

exsilio reductos esse; queri de Milone per vim expulso; neminem tamen se violaturam, nisi qui arma contra. Haec Baebius quidam a Curione III Id. profectus, homo non infans, sed qui de suo illa[110]non dicat. Plane nescio, quid agam. Illim equidem Gnaeum profectum puto. Quicquid est, biduo sciemus. A te nihil ne Anteros quidem litterarum; nec mirum. Quid enim est, quod scribamus? Ego tamen nullum diem praetermitto.

[110]qui de suo illaTyrrell: quis ulliMSS.

Scripta epistula litterae mihi ante lucem a Lepta Capua redditae sunt Idib. Mart. Pompeium a Brundisio conscendisse, at Caesarem a. d,VIIKal. Apriles Capuae fore.

Scr. in Formiano VIII K. Apr a. 705

Cum dedissem ad te litteras, ut scires Caesarem CapuaeVIIKal. fore, allatae mihi Capua sunt et hic copiam mihi et[111]in Albano apud CurionemVK. fore. Eum cum videro, Arpinum pergam. Si mihi veniam, quam peto, dederit, utar illius condicione; si minus, impetrabo aliquid a me ipso. Ille, ut ad me scripsit, legiones singulas posuit Brundisi, Tarenti, Siponti. Claudere mihi videtur maritimos exitus et tamen ipse Graeciam spectare potius quam Hispanias. Sed haec longius absunt. Me nunc et congressus huius stimulat (is vero adest), et primas eius actiones

[111]et hic copiam mihi etMadvig; et hoc mihi etMSS.

[Pg 255]been traitors: he resents Pompey's violent banishment of Milo, but would only harm those who bear arms against him. This tale was told me by one Baebius, who came from Curio on the 13th, a man who is no fool, but not smart enough to invent such a tale. I am quite at a loss what to do. From Brundisium, I fancy Pompey must have set out. Whatever has happened, we shall know in a few days. I haven't a letter from you not even by Anteros, and no wonder. What is there to write about? Still I do not omit one day.When this was written a letter came to me before daylight from Lepta dated Capua the 15th of March. Pompey has embarked from Brundisium. Caesar is due at Capua on the 26th.XVCICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Formiae, March 25,B.C.49After I had sent you a letter informing you that Caesar would be at Capua on the 26th, a letter reached me from Capua saying that Caesar would see me either here or in Curio's place at Alba on the 28th. When I have seen him, I shall go to Arpinum. If he should grant me the privilege I ask, I shall put up with his terms. If not, then I shall consult myself as to what to do. As Caesar wrote to me, he has stationed one legion each at Brundisium, Tarentum and Sipontum. He seems to me to be cutting off retreat by sea and yet himself to have Greece in view rather than Spain. But these are remote considerations. Now I am stirred by the thought of meeting him; for the meeting is close at hand, and I am alarmed at the first steps he

[Pg 255]

been traitors: he resents Pompey's violent banishment of Milo, but would only harm those who bear arms against him. This tale was told me by one Baebius, who came from Curio on the 13th, a man who is no fool, but not smart enough to invent such a tale. I am quite at a loss what to do. From Brundisium, I fancy Pompey must have set out. Whatever has happened, we shall know in a few days. I haven't a letter from you not even by Anteros, and no wonder. What is there to write about? Still I do not omit one day.

When this was written a letter came to me before daylight from Lepta dated Capua the 15th of March. Pompey has embarked from Brundisium. Caesar is due at Capua on the 26th.

Formiae, March 25,B.C.49

After I had sent you a letter informing you that Caesar would be at Capua on the 26th, a letter reached me from Capua saying that Caesar would see me either here or in Curio's place at Alba on the 28th. When I have seen him, I shall go to Arpinum. If he should grant me the privilege I ask, I shall put up with his terms. If not, then I shall consult myself as to what to do. As Caesar wrote to me, he has stationed one legion each at Brundisium, Tarentum and Sipontum. He seems to me to be cutting off retreat by sea and yet himself to have Greece in view rather than Spain. But these are remote considerations. Now I am stirred by the thought of meeting him; for the meeting is close at hand, and I am alarmed at the first steps he

[Pg 256]horreo. Volet enim, credo, S. C. facere, volet augurum decretum (rapiemur aut absentes vexabimur), vel ut consules roget praetor vel ut dictatorem dicat; quorum neutrum ius est. Etsi, si Sulla potuit efficere, ab interrege ut dictator diceretur[112]cur hic non possit? Nihil expedio, nisi ut aut ab hoc tamquam Q. Mucius aut ab illo tamquam L. Scipio.[112]Afterdicereturmost MSS. addet magister equitum.Cum tu haec leges, ego illum fortasse convenero. Τέτλαθι. Κύντερον ne illud quidem nostrum proprium. Erat enim spes propinqui reditus, erat hominum querela. Nunc exire cupimus, qua spe reditus, mihi quidem numquam in mentem venit. Non modo autem nulla querela est municipalium hominum ac rusticorum, sed contra metuunt ut crudelem, iratum. Nec tamen mihi quicquam est miserius quam remansisse nec optatius quam evolare non tam ad belli quam ad fugae societatem. Sed tu, omnia qui consilia differebas in id tempus, cum sciremus, quae Brundisi acta essent. Scimus nempe; haeremus nihilo minus. Vix enim spero mihi hunc veniam daturum, etsi multa adfero iusta ad impetrandum. Sed tibi omnem illius meumque sermonem omnibus verbis expressum statim mittam. Tu nunc omni amore enitere, ut nos cura tua et prudentia iuves. Ita subito accurrit, ut ne T. Rebilum quidem,[Pg 257]will take, for he will want, I am sure, a decree of the Senate and a decree of the augurs (we shall be hurried off to Rome or harassed, if we are absent), so that the praetor may hold an election of consuls or name a dictator, both acts unconstitutional. Though, if Sulla could arrange to be named dictator by an interrex, why should not Caesar? I can see no solution of the problem except by meeting the fate of Mucius at the hand of Caesar, or that of Scipio[113]at the hands of Pompey.[113]L. Scipio was proscribed by Sulla. For Mucius cf.VIII, 3.Odyssey iii. 27When you read this, perhaps I shall have met the man. "Endure." My own exile was no "unkinder cut";[114]for I had prospects of speedy return and was consoled by the popular outcry. Now I long to go away and it never strikes me that there is any chance of return. Not only is there no outcry of any in town or country, but on the contrary all are afraid of Pompey as cruel in his anger. Nothing causes me more wretchedness than my having remained, and there is nothing that I want more than to flee to him to share not his fighting but his flight. But now what becomes of your counsel to put off decision till we knew how things went at Brundisium? We do know, but are as badly stuck as ever. I can scarcely hope that Caesar will give me privilege, though many are the good reasons I can bring for granting it. But I will send you immediately a report of our conversation word for word. Use all your affection to help me with your careful advise. He is coming so fast that I cannot see even T. Rebilus, as I had arranged. I[114]OdysseyXX, 18, τέτλαθι δὴ, κραδίη, κὰι κύντερον ἄλλο ποτ' ἔτλης, "endure, my heart, worse hast thou borne before."

[Pg 256]

horreo. Volet enim, credo, S. C. facere, volet augurum decretum (rapiemur aut absentes vexabimur), vel ut consules roget praetor vel ut dictatorem dicat; quorum neutrum ius est. Etsi, si Sulla potuit efficere, ab interrege ut dictator diceretur[112]cur hic non possit? Nihil expedio, nisi ut aut ab hoc tamquam Q. Mucius aut ab illo tamquam L. Scipio.

[112]Afterdicereturmost MSS. addet magister equitum.

Cum tu haec leges, ego illum fortasse convenero. Τέτλαθι. Κύντερον ne illud quidem nostrum proprium. Erat enim spes propinqui reditus, erat hominum querela. Nunc exire cupimus, qua spe reditus, mihi quidem numquam in mentem venit. Non modo autem nulla querela est municipalium hominum ac rusticorum, sed contra metuunt ut crudelem, iratum. Nec tamen mihi quicquam est miserius quam remansisse nec optatius quam evolare non tam ad belli quam ad fugae societatem. Sed tu, omnia qui consilia differebas in id tempus, cum sciremus, quae Brundisi acta essent. Scimus nempe; haeremus nihilo minus. Vix enim spero mihi hunc veniam daturum, etsi multa adfero iusta ad impetrandum. Sed tibi omnem illius meumque sermonem omnibus verbis expressum statim mittam. Tu nunc omni amore enitere, ut nos cura tua et prudentia iuves. Ita subito accurrit, ut ne T. Rebilum quidem,

[Pg 257]will take, for he will want, I am sure, a decree of the Senate and a decree of the augurs (we shall be hurried off to Rome or harassed, if we are absent), so that the praetor may hold an election of consuls or name a dictator, both acts unconstitutional. Though, if Sulla could arrange to be named dictator by an interrex, why should not Caesar? I can see no solution of the problem except by meeting the fate of Mucius at the hand of Caesar, or that of Scipio[113]at the hands of Pompey.[113]L. Scipio was proscribed by Sulla. For Mucius cf.VIII, 3.Odyssey iii. 27When you read this, perhaps I shall have met the man. "Endure." My own exile was no "unkinder cut";[114]for I had prospects of speedy return and was consoled by the popular outcry. Now I long to go away and it never strikes me that there is any chance of return. Not only is there no outcry of any in town or country, but on the contrary all are afraid of Pompey as cruel in his anger. Nothing causes me more wretchedness than my having remained, and there is nothing that I want more than to flee to him to share not his fighting but his flight. But now what becomes of your counsel to put off decision till we knew how things went at Brundisium? We do know, but are as badly stuck as ever. I can scarcely hope that Caesar will give me privilege, though many are the good reasons I can bring for granting it. But I will send you immediately a report of our conversation word for word. Use all your affection to help me with your careful advise. He is coming so fast that I cannot see even T. Rebilus, as I had arranged. I[114]OdysseyXX, 18, τέτλαθι δὴ, κραδίη, κὰι κύντερον ἄλλο ποτ' ἔτλης, "endure, my heart, worse hast thou borne before."

[Pg 257]

will take, for he will want, I am sure, a decree of the Senate and a decree of the augurs (we shall be hurried off to Rome or harassed, if we are absent), so that the praetor may hold an election of consuls or name a dictator, both acts unconstitutional. Though, if Sulla could arrange to be named dictator by an interrex, why should not Caesar? I can see no solution of the problem except by meeting the fate of Mucius at the hand of Caesar, or that of Scipio[113]at the hands of Pompey.

[113]L. Scipio was proscribed by Sulla. For Mucius cf.VIII, 3.

Odyssey iii. 27

When you read this, perhaps I shall have met the man. "Endure." My own exile was no "unkinder cut";[114]for I had prospects of speedy return and was consoled by the popular outcry. Now I long to go away and it never strikes me that there is any chance of return. Not only is there no outcry of any in town or country, but on the contrary all are afraid of Pompey as cruel in his anger. Nothing causes me more wretchedness than my having remained, and there is nothing that I want more than to flee to him to share not his fighting but his flight. But now what becomes of your counsel to put off decision till we knew how things went at Brundisium? We do know, but are as badly stuck as ever. I can scarcely hope that Caesar will give me privilege, though many are the good reasons I can bring for granting it. But I will send you immediately a report of our conversation word for word. Use all your affection to help me with your careful advise. He is coming so fast that I cannot see even T. Rebilus, as I had arranged. I

[114]OdysseyXX, 18, τέτλαθι δὴ, κραδίη, κὰι κύντερον ἄλλο ποτ' ἔτλης, "endure, my heart, worse hast thou borne before."

[Pg 258]ut constitueram, possim videre; omnia nobis imparatis agenda. Sed tamen ἄλλα μὲν αὐτός, ut ait ille, ἄλλα δὲ καὶ δαίμων ὑποθήσεται. Quicquid egero, continuo scies. Mandata Caesaris ad consules et ad Pompeium, quae rogas, nulla habeo descripta; quae attulit, illa e via[115]misi ad te ante; e quibus mandata puto intellegi posse, Philippus Neapoli est, Lentulus Puteolis. De Domitio, ut facis, sciscitare, ubi sit, quid cogitet.[115]habeo descripta; quae attulit illa e viaWesenberg: habeo et descripta attulit illa e viaMSS.Quod scribis asperius me, quam mei patiantur mores, de Dionysio scripsisse, vide, quam sim antiquorum hominum. Te medius fidius hanc rem gravius putavi laturum esse quam me. Nam, praeterquam quod te moveri arbitror oportere iniuria, quae mihi a quoquam facta sit, praeterea te ipsum quodam modo hic violavit, cum in me tam improbus fuit. Sed, tu id quanti aestimes, tuum iudicium est; nec tamen in hoc tibi quicquam oneris impono. Ego autem illum male sanum semper putavi, nunc etiam impurum et sceleratum puto nec tamen mihi inimiciorem quam sibi. Philargyro bene curasti. Causam certe habuisti et veram et bonam, relictum esse me potius quam reliquisse.Cum dedissem iam litteras a. d.VIIIKal., pueri, quos cum Matio et Trebatio miseram, epistulam mihi attulerunt hoc exemplo:"MATIUS ET TREBATIUS CICERONI IMP. SAL.Cum Capua exissemus, in itinere audivimus Pompeium Brundisio a. d.XVIK. Apriles cum omnibus[Pg 259]have to do everything impromptu. But nevertheless as the poet has it, "Some things I'll venture and some things God will prompt." Whatever I do you shall know forthwith. The demands Caesar sent to Pompey and the consuls, for which you ask, are not with me. The copies that were brought I sent on to you at once.[116]From them I think you can gather what those demands were. Philippus is at Naples. Lentulus at Puteoli. As to Domitius, go on inquiring where he is and what he intends to do.[116]This doubtful passage probably refers to the document mentioned in vii, 17.You write that my remarks about Dionysius are more bitter than suits my character. See how old-fashioned I am. Upon my honour I thought that you would be more angered than I: for, apart from the fact that I think you should be stirred by any injury done by anyone to me, this man in a way outraged you in treating me so badly. But it is for you to decide what weight you should give to the matter. I will not put anything upon you. I always thought the fellow was not quite sane: now I think he is an abandoned blackguard. But he is as much his own enemy as mine. You did well with Philargyrus. You certainly had a good and true case in contending that I had not abandoned but rather had been abandoned.When I had dispatched my letter on the 25th, the servants I had sent to Matius and Trebatius brought me a letter in the following terms:"MATIUS AND TREBATIUS TO CICERO IMPERATOR, GREETING."After leaving Capua we heard on the way that Pompey with all the forces he had set out from

[Pg 258]

ut constitueram, possim videre; omnia nobis imparatis agenda. Sed tamen ἄλλα μὲν αὐτός, ut ait ille, ἄλλα δὲ καὶ δαίμων ὑποθήσεται. Quicquid egero, continuo scies. Mandata Caesaris ad consules et ad Pompeium, quae rogas, nulla habeo descripta; quae attulit, illa e via[115]misi ad te ante; e quibus mandata puto intellegi posse, Philippus Neapoli est, Lentulus Puteolis. De Domitio, ut facis, sciscitare, ubi sit, quid cogitet.

[115]habeo descripta; quae attulit illa e viaWesenberg: habeo et descripta attulit illa e viaMSS.

Quod scribis asperius me, quam mei patiantur mores, de Dionysio scripsisse, vide, quam sim antiquorum hominum. Te medius fidius hanc rem gravius putavi laturum esse quam me. Nam, praeterquam quod te moveri arbitror oportere iniuria, quae mihi a quoquam facta sit, praeterea te ipsum quodam modo hic violavit, cum in me tam improbus fuit. Sed, tu id quanti aestimes, tuum iudicium est; nec tamen in hoc tibi quicquam oneris impono. Ego autem illum male sanum semper putavi, nunc etiam impurum et sceleratum puto nec tamen mihi inimiciorem quam sibi. Philargyro bene curasti. Causam certe habuisti et veram et bonam, relictum esse me potius quam reliquisse.

Cum dedissem iam litteras a. d.VIIIKal., pueri, quos cum Matio et Trebatio miseram, epistulam mihi attulerunt hoc exemplo:

"MATIUS ET TREBATIUS CICERONI IMP. SAL.

Cum Capua exissemus, in itinere audivimus Pompeium Brundisio a. d.XVIK. Apriles cum omnibus

[Pg 259]have to do everything impromptu. But nevertheless as the poet has it, "Some things I'll venture and some things God will prompt." Whatever I do you shall know forthwith. The demands Caesar sent to Pompey and the consuls, for which you ask, are not with me. The copies that were brought I sent on to you at once.[116]From them I think you can gather what those demands were. Philippus is at Naples. Lentulus at Puteoli. As to Domitius, go on inquiring where he is and what he intends to do.[116]This doubtful passage probably refers to the document mentioned in vii, 17.You write that my remarks about Dionysius are more bitter than suits my character. See how old-fashioned I am. Upon my honour I thought that you would be more angered than I: for, apart from the fact that I think you should be stirred by any injury done by anyone to me, this man in a way outraged you in treating me so badly. But it is for you to decide what weight you should give to the matter. I will not put anything upon you. I always thought the fellow was not quite sane: now I think he is an abandoned blackguard. But he is as much his own enemy as mine. You did well with Philargyrus. You certainly had a good and true case in contending that I had not abandoned but rather had been abandoned.When I had dispatched my letter on the 25th, the servants I had sent to Matius and Trebatius brought me a letter in the following terms:"MATIUS AND TREBATIUS TO CICERO IMPERATOR, GREETING."After leaving Capua we heard on the way that Pompey with all the forces he had set out from

[Pg 259]

have to do everything impromptu. But nevertheless as the poet has it, "Some things I'll venture and some things God will prompt." Whatever I do you shall know forthwith. The demands Caesar sent to Pompey and the consuls, for which you ask, are not with me. The copies that were brought I sent on to you at once.[116]From them I think you can gather what those demands were. Philippus is at Naples. Lentulus at Puteoli. As to Domitius, go on inquiring where he is and what he intends to do.

[116]This doubtful passage probably refers to the document mentioned in vii, 17.

You write that my remarks about Dionysius are more bitter than suits my character. See how old-fashioned I am. Upon my honour I thought that you would be more angered than I: for, apart from the fact that I think you should be stirred by any injury done by anyone to me, this man in a way outraged you in treating me so badly. But it is for you to decide what weight you should give to the matter. I will not put anything upon you. I always thought the fellow was not quite sane: now I think he is an abandoned blackguard. But he is as much his own enemy as mine. You did well with Philargyrus. You certainly had a good and true case in contending that I had not abandoned but rather had been abandoned.

When I had dispatched my letter on the 25th, the servants I had sent to Matius and Trebatius brought me a letter in the following terms:

"MATIUS AND TREBATIUS TO CICERO IMPERATOR, GREETING.

"After leaving Capua we heard on the way that Pompey with all the forces he had set out from

[Pg 260]copiis, quas habuit, profectum esse; Caesarem postero die in oppidum introisse, contionatum esse, inde Romam contendisse, velle ante K. esse ad urbem et pauculos dies ibi commorari, deinde in Hispanias proficisci. Nobis non alienum visum est, quoniam de adventu Caesaris pro certo habebamus, pueros tuos ad te remittere, ut id tu quam primum scires. Mandata tua nobis curae sunt, eaque, ut tempus postularit, agemus. Trebatius sedulo facit, ut antecedat.Epistula conscripta nuntiatum est nobis Caesarem a. d.VIIIK. April. Beneventi mansurum, a. d.VIICapuae, a. d. VI Sinuessae. Hoc pro certo putamus."XVICICERO ATTICO SAL.Scr. in Formiano VII K. Apr. a. 705Cum, quod scriberem ad te, nihil haberem, tamen, ne quem diem intermitterem, has dedi litteras. A. d. VI K. Caesarem Sinuessae mansurum nuntiabant. Ab eo mihi litterae redditae sunt a. d.VIIK., quibus iam "opes" meas, non ut superioribus litteris "opem" exspectat. Cum eius clementiam Corfiniensem illam per litteras collaudavissem, rescripsit hoc exemplo:"CAESAR IMP. CICERONI IMP. SAL. DIC.Recte auguraris de me (bene enim tibi cognitus sum) nihil a me abesse longius crudelitate. Atque ego cum ex ipsa re magnam capio voluptatem tum meum factum probari abs te triumpho gaudio. Neque illud me movet, quod ii, qui a me dimissi sunt,[Pg 261]Brundisium on the 17th of March: that Caesar on the next day entered the town, made a speech and went off at full speed to Rome, meaning to be at the city before the 1st of April, to remain there a few days and then to set out for Spain. It seemed proper since we had sure news of Caesar's approach to send your servants back to you to give information as early as possible. Your charges have our attention, and we will act as circumstances demand. Trebatius is trying hard to reach you before Caesar."When this letter had been written, news came to us that Caesar would stop on the 25th at Beneventum, at Capua on the 26th, on the 27th at Sinuessa. This we consider certain."XVICICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Formiae, March 26,B.C.49Though I have nothing to write to you, still, not to miss a day, I send this letter. On the 27th of March Caesar will stop at Sinuessa, they say. He sent me a letter dated the 26th, in which he looks forward to my "resources," not as in the former letter to "my help." I had written praising to the skies his kindness, his clemency at Corfinium. He replied as follows:"CAESAR IMPERATOR TO CICERO IMPERATOR, GREETING."You are right to infer of me (for I am well known to you) that there is nothing further from my nature than cruelty. Whilst I take great pleasure from that fact, I am proud indeed that my action wins your approval. I am not moved because it is said that those,

[Pg 260]

copiis, quas habuit, profectum esse; Caesarem postero die in oppidum introisse, contionatum esse, inde Romam contendisse, velle ante K. esse ad urbem et pauculos dies ibi commorari, deinde in Hispanias proficisci. Nobis non alienum visum est, quoniam de adventu Caesaris pro certo habebamus, pueros tuos ad te remittere, ut id tu quam primum scires. Mandata tua nobis curae sunt, eaque, ut tempus postularit, agemus. Trebatius sedulo facit, ut antecedat.

Epistula conscripta nuntiatum est nobis Caesarem a. d.VIIIK. April. Beneventi mansurum, a. d.VIICapuae, a. d. VI Sinuessae. Hoc pro certo putamus."

Scr. in Formiano VII K. Apr. a. 705

Cum, quod scriberem ad te, nihil haberem, tamen, ne quem diem intermitterem, has dedi litteras. A. d. VI K. Caesarem Sinuessae mansurum nuntiabant. Ab eo mihi litterae redditae sunt a. d.VIIK., quibus iam "opes" meas, non ut superioribus litteris "opem" exspectat. Cum eius clementiam Corfiniensem illam per litteras collaudavissem, rescripsit hoc exemplo:

"CAESAR IMP. CICERONI IMP. SAL. DIC.

Recte auguraris de me (bene enim tibi cognitus sum) nihil a me abesse longius crudelitate. Atque ego cum ex ipsa re magnam capio voluptatem tum meum factum probari abs te triumpho gaudio. Neque illud me movet, quod ii, qui a me dimissi sunt,

[Pg 261]Brundisium on the 17th of March: that Caesar on the next day entered the town, made a speech and went off at full speed to Rome, meaning to be at the city before the 1st of April, to remain there a few days and then to set out for Spain. It seemed proper since we had sure news of Caesar's approach to send your servants back to you to give information as early as possible. Your charges have our attention, and we will act as circumstances demand. Trebatius is trying hard to reach you before Caesar."When this letter had been written, news came to us that Caesar would stop on the 25th at Beneventum, at Capua on the 26th, on the 27th at Sinuessa. This we consider certain."XVICICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Formiae, March 26,B.C.49Though I have nothing to write to you, still, not to miss a day, I send this letter. On the 27th of March Caesar will stop at Sinuessa, they say. He sent me a letter dated the 26th, in which he looks forward to my "resources," not as in the former letter to "my help." I had written praising to the skies his kindness, his clemency at Corfinium. He replied as follows:"CAESAR IMPERATOR TO CICERO IMPERATOR, GREETING."You are right to infer of me (for I am well known to you) that there is nothing further from my nature than cruelty. Whilst I take great pleasure from that fact, I am proud indeed that my action wins your approval. I am not moved because it is said that those,

[Pg 261]

Brundisium on the 17th of March: that Caesar on the next day entered the town, made a speech and went off at full speed to Rome, meaning to be at the city before the 1st of April, to remain there a few days and then to set out for Spain. It seemed proper since we had sure news of Caesar's approach to send your servants back to you to give information as early as possible. Your charges have our attention, and we will act as circumstances demand. Trebatius is trying hard to reach you before Caesar.

"When this letter had been written, news came to us that Caesar would stop on the 25th at Beneventum, at Capua on the 26th, on the 27th at Sinuessa. This we consider certain."

Formiae, March 26,B.C.49

Though I have nothing to write to you, still, not to miss a day, I send this letter. On the 27th of March Caesar will stop at Sinuessa, they say. He sent me a letter dated the 26th, in which he looks forward to my "resources," not as in the former letter to "my help." I had written praising to the skies his kindness, his clemency at Corfinium. He replied as follows:

"CAESAR IMPERATOR TO CICERO IMPERATOR, GREETING.

"You are right to infer of me (for I am well known to you) that there is nothing further from my nature than cruelty. Whilst I take great pleasure from that fact, I am proud indeed that my action wins your approval. I am not moved because it is said that those,

[Pg 262]discessisse dicuntur, ut mihi rursus bellum inferrent. Nihil enim malo quam et me mei similem esse et illos sui. Tu velim mihi ad urbem praesto sis, ut tuis consiliis atque opibus, ut consuevi, in omnibus rebus utar. Dolabella tuo nihil scito mihi esse iucundius. Hanc adeo habebo gratiam illi; neque enim aliter facere poterit. Tanta eius humanitas, is sensus, ea in me est benevolentia."XVIICICERO ATTICO SAL.Scr. in Formiano VI K. Apr. a. 705Trebatium VI Kal., quo die has litteras dedi, exspectabam. Ex eius nuntio Matique litteris meditabor, quo modo cum illo loquar. O tempus miserum! Nec dubito, quin a me contendat, ad urbem veniam. Senatum enim Kalendis velle se frequentem adesse etiam Formiis proscribi iussit. Ergo ei negandum est? Sed quid praeripio? Statim ad te perscribam omnia. Ex illius sermone statuam, Arpinumne mihi eundum sit an quo alio. Volo Ciceroni meo togam puram dare, istic puto. Tu, quaeso, cogita, quid deinde. Nam me hebetem molestiae reddiderunt. A Curio velim scire ecquid ad te scriptum sit de Tirone. Ad me enim ipse Tiro ita scripsit, ut verear, quid agat. Qui autem veniunt inde, κινδυνώδη nuntiant. Sane in magnis curis etiam haec me sollicitant. In hac enim fortuna perutilis eius et opera et fidelitas esset.[Pg 263]whom I let go, have departed to wage war on me again, for there is nothing I like better than that I should be true to myself and they to themselves. I could wish you to meet me at Rome that I may avail myself of your advice and resources, as usual, in everything. You must know that nothing pleases me more than the presence of your relative Dolabella. This favour also I shall owe to him; for he will not be able to do otherwise than arrange it, such is his kindness, his feeling and goodwill towards me."XVIICICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Formiae, March 27,B.C.49I am awaiting Trebatius on March the 27th, the date of this letter. From his tidings and Matius' letter I shall consider how to talk to Caesar. What a wretched age this is! I have no doubt Caesar will urge me to come to Rome. For he gave orders that notices should be posted even at Formiae that he wanted a full house on the 1st. Must I refuse? But why do I anticipate? I will write you all about it at once. From Caesar's conversation I shall decide whether I ought to go to Arpinum or elsewhere. I wish to celebrate my son's coming of age. Arpinum, I think, will be the place. Please consider what I should do next, for my troubles have made me stupid. From Curius I want to hear whether you have had news about Tiro. For to me Tiro has written in such a way that I am anxious to know how he is. Those two who come from his part say that his condition is critical. In the midst of many great troubles this also distresses me; for in our present straits his energy and loyalty would be very serviceable.

[Pg 262]

discessisse dicuntur, ut mihi rursus bellum inferrent. Nihil enim malo quam et me mei similem esse et illos sui. Tu velim mihi ad urbem praesto sis, ut tuis consiliis atque opibus, ut consuevi, in omnibus rebus utar. Dolabella tuo nihil scito mihi esse iucundius. Hanc adeo habebo gratiam illi; neque enim aliter facere poterit. Tanta eius humanitas, is sensus, ea in me est benevolentia."

Scr. in Formiano VI K. Apr. a. 705

Trebatium VI Kal., quo die has litteras dedi, exspectabam. Ex eius nuntio Matique litteris meditabor, quo modo cum illo loquar. O tempus miserum! Nec dubito, quin a me contendat, ad urbem veniam. Senatum enim Kalendis velle se frequentem adesse etiam Formiis proscribi iussit. Ergo ei negandum est? Sed quid praeripio? Statim ad te perscribam omnia. Ex illius sermone statuam, Arpinumne mihi eundum sit an quo alio. Volo Ciceroni meo togam puram dare, istic puto. Tu, quaeso, cogita, quid deinde. Nam me hebetem molestiae reddiderunt. A Curio velim scire ecquid ad te scriptum sit de Tirone. Ad me enim ipse Tiro ita scripsit, ut verear, quid agat. Qui autem veniunt inde, κινδυνώδη nuntiant. Sane in magnis curis etiam haec me sollicitant. In hac enim fortuna perutilis eius et opera et fidelitas esset.

[Pg 263]whom I let go, have departed to wage war on me again, for there is nothing I like better than that I should be true to myself and they to themselves. I could wish you to meet me at Rome that I may avail myself of your advice and resources, as usual, in everything. You must know that nothing pleases me more than the presence of your relative Dolabella. This favour also I shall owe to him; for he will not be able to do otherwise than arrange it, such is his kindness, his feeling and goodwill towards me."XVIICICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Formiae, March 27,B.C.49I am awaiting Trebatius on March the 27th, the date of this letter. From his tidings and Matius' letter I shall consider how to talk to Caesar. What a wretched age this is! I have no doubt Caesar will urge me to come to Rome. For he gave orders that notices should be posted even at Formiae that he wanted a full house on the 1st. Must I refuse? But why do I anticipate? I will write you all about it at once. From Caesar's conversation I shall decide whether I ought to go to Arpinum or elsewhere. I wish to celebrate my son's coming of age. Arpinum, I think, will be the place. Please consider what I should do next, for my troubles have made me stupid. From Curius I want to hear whether you have had news about Tiro. For to me Tiro has written in such a way that I am anxious to know how he is. Those two who come from his part say that his condition is critical. In the midst of many great troubles this also distresses me; for in our present straits his energy and loyalty would be very serviceable.

[Pg 263]

whom I let go, have departed to wage war on me again, for there is nothing I like better than that I should be true to myself and they to themselves. I could wish you to meet me at Rome that I may avail myself of your advice and resources, as usual, in everything. You must know that nothing pleases me more than the presence of your relative Dolabella. This favour also I shall owe to him; for he will not be able to do otherwise than arrange it, such is his kindness, his feeling and goodwill towards me."

Formiae, March 27,B.C.49

I am awaiting Trebatius on March the 27th, the date of this letter. From his tidings and Matius' letter I shall consider how to talk to Caesar. What a wretched age this is! I have no doubt Caesar will urge me to come to Rome. For he gave orders that notices should be posted even at Formiae that he wanted a full house on the 1st. Must I refuse? But why do I anticipate? I will write you all about it at once. From Caesar's conversation I shall decide whether I ought to go to Arpinum or elsewhere. I wish to celebrate my son's coming of age. Arpinum, I think, will be the place. Please consider what I should do next, for my troubles have made me stupid. From Curius I want to hear whether you have had news about Tiro. For to me Tiro has written in such a way that I am anxious to know how he is. Those two who come from his part say that his condition is critical. In the midst of many great troubles this also distresses me; for in our present straits his energy and loyalty would be very serviceable.

[Pg 264]XVIIICICERO ATTICO SAL.Scr. Arpini V K. Apra. 705Utrumque ex tuo consilio; nam et oratio fuit ea nostra, ut bene potius ille de nobis existimaret quam gratias ageret, et in eo mansimus, ne ad urbem. Illa fefellerunt, facilem quod putaramus. Nihil vidi minus. Damnari se nostro iudicio, tardiores fore reliquos, si nos non veniremus, dicere. Ego dissimilem illorum esse causam. Cum multa, "Veni igitur et age de pace." "Meone," inquam, "arbitratu?" "An tibi," inquit, "ego praescribam?" "Sic," inquam, "agam, senatui non placere in Hispanias iri nec exercitus in Graeciam transportari, multaque," inquam, "de Gnaeo deplorabo." Tum ille: "Ego vero ista dici nolo." "Ita putabam," inquam; "sed ego eo nolo adesse, quod aut sic mihi dicendum est, multaque, quae nullo modo possem silere, si adessem, aut non veniendum." Summa fuit, ut ille quasi exitum quaerens, ut deliberarem. Non fuit negandum. Ita discessimus. Credo igitur hunc me non amare. At ego me amavi, quod mihi iam pridem usu non venit.Reliqua, o di! qui comitatus, quae, ut tu soles dicere, νέκυια! in qua erat ἥρως Celer. O rem perditam! o copias desperatas! Quid, quod Servi filius, quod Titini in iis castris fuerunt, quibus Pompeius circumsederetur! Sex legiones; multum vigilat,[Pg 265]XVIIICICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Arpinum, March 28,B.C.49In both respects I followed your advice. I spoke so as to gain Caesar's respect rather than his gratitude; and I persisted in my resolve not to go to Rome. We were mistaken in thinking he would be easy to manage. I have never seen anyone less easy. He kept on saying that my decision was a slur on him, and that others would be less likely to come, if I did not come. I pointed out that my case was very unlike theirs. After much talk he said, "Well, come and discuss peace." "On my own terms?" I asked. "Need I dictate to you?" said he. "Well," said I, "I shall contend that the Senate cannot sanction your invasion of Spain or your going with an army into Greece, and," I added, "I shall lament Pompey's fate." He replied, "That is not what I want." "So I fancied," said I: "but I do not want to be in Rome, because either I must say that and much else, on which I cannot keep silent, if I am present, or else I cannot come." The upshot was that I was to think over the matter, as Caesar suggested, with a view to closing our interview. I could not refuse. So we parted. I am confident then he has no liking for me. But I like myself, as I have not for a long time.For the rest, ye gods what a following! Whatâmes damnéesin your phrase! Celer is an hero to the rest. What an abandoned cause, and what desperate gangs! What can one think of a son of Servius and a son of Titinius being in an army which beset Pompey? Six legions! He is very wide-awake and

[Pg 264]

Scr. Arpini V K. Apra. 705

Utrumque ex tuo consilio; nam et oratio fuit ea nostra, ut bene potius ille de nobis existimaret quam gratias ageret, et in eo mansimus, ne ad urbem. Illa fefellerunt, facilem quod putaramus. Nihil vidi minus. Damnari se nostro iudicio, tardiores fore reliquos, si nos non veniremus, dicere. Ego dissimilem illorum esse causam. Cum multa, "Veni igitur et age de pace." "Meone," inquam, "arbitratu?" "An tibi," inquit, "ego praescribam?" "Sic," inquam, "agam, senatui non placere in Hispanias iri nec exercitus in Graeciam transportari, multaque," inquam, "de Gnaeo deplorabo." Tum ille: "Ego vero ista dici nolo." "Ita putabam," inquam; "sed ego eo nolo adesse, quod aut sic mihi dicendum est, multaque, quae nullo modo possem silere, si adessem, aut non veniendum." Summa fuit, ut ille quasi exitum quaerens, ut deliberarem. Non fuit negandum. Ita discessimus. Credo igitur hunc me non amare. At ego me amavi, quod mihi iam pridem usu non venit.

Reliqua, o di! qui comitatus, quae, ut tu soles dicere, νέκυια! in qua erat ἥρως Celer. O rem perditam! o copias desperatas! Quid, quod Servi filius, quod Titini in iis castris fuerunt, quibus Pompeius circumsederetur! Sex legiones; multum vigilat,

[Pg 265]XVIIICICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Arpinum, March 28,B.C.49In both respects I followed your advice. I spoke so as to gain Caesar's respect rather than his gratitude; and I persisted in my resolve not to go to Rome. We were mistaken in thinking he would be easy to manage. I have never seen anyone less easy. He kept on saying that my decision was a slur on him, and that others would be less likely to come, if I did not come. I pointed out that my case was very unlike theirs. After much talk he said, "Well, come and discuss peace." "On my own terms?" I asked. "Need I dictate to you?" said he. "Well," said I, "I shall contend that the Senate cannot sanction your invasion of Spain or your going with an army into Greece, and," I added, "I shall lament Pompey's fate." He replied, "That is not what I want." "So I fancied," said I: "but I do not want to be in Rome, because either I must say that and much else, on which I cannot keep silent, if I am present, or else I cannot come." The upshot was that I was to think over the matter, as Caesar suggested, with a view to closing our interview. I could not refuse. So we parted. I am confident then he has no liking for me. But I like myself, as I have not for a long time.For the rest, ye gods what a following! Whatâmes damnéesin your phrase! Celer is an hero to the rest. What an abandoned cause, and what desperate gangs! What can one think of a son of Servius and a son of Titinius being in an army which beset Pompey? Six legions! He is very wide-awake and

[Pg 265]

Arpinum, March 28,B.C.49

In both respects I followed your advice. I spoke so as to gain Caesar's respect rather than his gratitude; and I persisted in my resolve not to go to Rome. We were mistaken in thinking he would be easy to manage. I have never seen anyone less easy. He kept on saying that my decision was a slur on him, and that others would be less likely to come, if I did not come. I pointed out that my case was very unlike theirs. After much talk he said, "Well, come and discuss peace." "On my own terms?" I asked. "Need I dictate to you?" said he. "Well," said I, "I shall contend that the Senate cannot sanction your invasion of Spain or your going with an army into Greece, and," I added, "I shall lament Pompey's fate." He replied, "That is not what I want." "So I fancied," said I: "but I do not want to be in Rome, because either I must say that and much else, on which I cannot keep silent, if I am present, or else I cannot come." The upshot was that I was to think over the matter, as Caesar suggested, with a view to closing our interview. I could not refuse. So we parted. I am confident then he has no liking for me. But I like myself, as I have not for a long time.

For the rest, ye gods what a following! Whatâmes damnéesin your phrase! Celer is an hero to the rest. What an abandoned cause, and what desperate gangs! What can one think of a son of Servius and a son of Titinius being in an army which beset Pompey? Six legions! He is very wide-awake and

[Pg 266]audet. Nullum video finem mali. Nunc certe promenda tibi sunt consilia. Hoc fuerat extremum.Illa tamen κατακλεὶς illius est odiosa, quam paene praeterii, si sibi consiliis nostris uti non liceret, usurum, quorum posset, ad omniaqae esse descensurum. "Vidisti igitur virum, ut scripseras? ingemuisti?" Certe. "Cedo reliqua." Quid? Continuo ipse in Pedanum, ego Arpinum. Inde exspecto equidem λαλαγεῦσαν[117]illam tuam. "Tu malim," inquies, "actum ne agas." Etiam illum ipsum, quem sequimur, multa fefellerunt.[117]λαλαγεῦσανBosius: ΑΛΑΤΕΛΓΑΝM.Sed ego tuas litteras exspecto. Nihil est enim iam ut antea "Videamus, hoc quorsum evadat." Extremum fuit de congressu nostro; quo quidem non dubito quin istum offfenderim. Eo maturius agendum est. Amabo te, epistulam et πολιτικήν! Valde tuas litteras nunc exspecto.XIXCICERO ATTICO SAL.Scr. Arpini prid. K. Apr. a. 705Ego meo Ciceroni, quoniam Roma earemus, Arpini potissimum togam puram dedi, idque municipibus nostris fuit gratum. Etsi omnes et illos, et qua iter feci, maestos adflictosque vidi. Tam tristis et[Pg 267]bold. I see no end to our evil days. Now assuredly you must produce your advice. This was the limit we contemplated.Caesar'sfinale, which I had almost forgotten, was hateful:—"If I may not use your advice, I shall use the advice I can and go to any length." You will say: "You have seen him to be as you have described him: and did you heave a sigh?" Indeed I did. You ask for the rest of our talk. What more is there to tell? He went straight to Pedum, I to Arpinum. From thence I await the "twittering swallow"[118]you talk of. You will say you prefer me not to dwell on past mistakes. Even Pompey, our leader, has made many.[118]A reference toAnthologyx, i, ὁ πλόος ὡραῖος καὶ γὰρ λαλαγεῦσα χελιδὼν Ἤδη μέμβλωκεν χὠ χαριεὶς Ζέφυρος."Fair is the season for sailing: already the twittering swallow Flitteth around, and soft bloweth the wind from the west." Cf.Att.ix, 7.But I await a letter from you. There is no room now, as before, for your "await the event." The limit we fixed was that interview; and I have no doubt I annoyed Caesar; so I must act the more quickly. Please send me a letter and deal withla haute politique. I await a letter from you now very anxiously.XIXCICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Arpinum, March 31,B.C.49Since Rome was out of bounds, I celebrated my son's coming of age at Arpinum in preference to any other place, and so doing delighted my fellow-townsmen. Though they were pleased, yet I must tell you they and all others I have met are sad and sorry.

[Pg 266]

audet. Nullum video finem mali. Nunc certe promenda tibi sunt consilia. Hoc fuerat extremum.

Illa tamen κατακλεὶς illius est odiosa, quam paene praeterii, si sibi consiliis nostris uti non liceret, usurum, quorum posset, ad omniaqae esse descensurum. "Vidisti igitur virum, ut scripseras? ingemuisti?" Certe. "Cedo reliqua." Quid? Continuo ipse in Pedanum, ego Arpinum. Inde exspecto equidem λαλαγεῦσαν[117]illam tuam. "Tu malim," inquies, "actum ne agas." Etiam illum ipsum, quem sequimur, multa fefellerunt.

[117]λαλαγεῦσανBosius: ΑΛΑΤΕΛΓΑΝM.

Sed ego tuas litteras exspecto. Nihil est enim iam ut antea "Videamus, hoc quorsum evadat." Extremum fuit de congressu nostro; quo quidem non dubito quin istum offfenderim. Eo maturius agendum est. Amabo te, epistulam et πολιτικήν! Valde tuas litteras nunc exspecto.

Scr. Arpini prid. K. Apr. a. 705

Ego meo Ciceroni, quoniam Roma earemus, Arpini potissimum togam puram dedi, idque municipibus nostris fuit gratum. Etsi omnes et illos, et qua iter feci, maestos adflictosque vidi. Tam tristis et

[Pg 267]bold. I see no end to our evil days. Now assuredly you must produce your advice. This was the limit we contemplated.Caesar'sfinale, which I had almost forgotten, was hateful:—"If I may not use your advice, I shall use the advice I can and go to any length." You will say: "You have seen him to be as you have described him: and did you heave a sigh?" Indeed I did. You ask for the rest of our talk. What more is there to tell? He went straight to Pedum, I to Arpinum. From thence I await the "twittering swallow"[118]you talk of. You will say you prefer me not to dwell on past mistakes. Even Pompey, our leader, has made many.[118]A reference toAnthologyx, i, ὁ πλόος ὡραῖος καὶ γὰρ λαλαγεῦσα χελιδὼν Ἤδη μέμβλωκεν χὠ χαριεὶς Ζέφυρος."Fair is the season for sailing: already the twittering swallow Flitteth around, and soft bloweth the wind from the west." Cf.Att.ix, 7.But I await a letter from you. There is no room now, as before, for your "await the event." The limit we fixed was that interview; and I have no doubt I annoyed Caesar; so I must act the more quickly. Please send me a letter and deal withla haute politique. I await a letter from you now very anxiously.XIXCICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Arpinum, March 31,B.C.49Since Rome was out of bounds, I celebrated my son's coming of age at Arpinum in preference to any other place, and so doing delighted my fellow-townsmen. Though they were pleased, yet I must tell you they and all others I have met are sad and sorry.

[Pg 267]

bold. I see no end to our evil days. Now assuredly you must produce your advice. This was the limit we contemplated.

Caesar'sfinale, which I had almost forgotten, was hateful:—"If I may not use your advice, I shall use the advice I can and go to any length." You will say: "You have seen him to be as you have described him: and did you heave a sigh?" Indeed I did. You ask for the rest of our talk. What more is there to tell? He went straight to Pedum, I to Arpinum. From thence I await the "twittering swallow"[118]you talk of. You will say you prefer me not to dwell on past mistakes. Even Pompey, our leader, has made many.

[118]A reference toAnthologyx, i, ὁ πλόος ὡραῖος καὶ γὰρ λαλαγεῦσα χελιδὼν Ἤδη μέμβλωκεν χὠ χαριεὶς Ζέφυρος."Fair is the season for sailing: already the twittering swallow Flitteth around, and soft bloweth the wind from the west." Cf.Att.ix, 7.

[118]A reference toAnthologyx, i, ὁ πλόος ὡραῖος καὶ γὰρ λαλαγεῦσα χελιδὼν Ἤδη μέμβλωκεν χὠ χαριεὶς Ζέφυρος.

"Fair is the season for sailing: already the twittering swallow Flitteth around, and soft bloweth the wind from the west." Cf.Att.ix, 7.

But I await a letter from you. There is no room now, as before, for your "await the event." The limit we fixed was that interview; and I have no doubt I annoyed Caesar; so I must act the more quickly. Please send me a letter and deal withla haute politique. I await a letter from you now very anxiously.

Arpinum, March 31,B.C.49

Since Rome was out of bounds, I celebrated my son's coming of age at Arpinum in preference to any other place, and so doing delighted my fellow-townsmen. Though they were pleased, yet I must tell you they and all others I have met are sad and sorry.

[Pg 268]tam atrox est ἀναθεώρησις huius ingentis mali. Dilectus habentur, in hiberna deducuntur. Ea, quae, etiam cum a bonis viris, cum iusto in bello, cum modeste fiunt, tamen ipsa per se molesta sunt, quam censes acerba nunc esse, cum a perditis in civili nefario bello petulantissime fiant! Cave autem putes quemquam hominem in Italia turpem esse, qui hinc absit. Vidi ipse Formiis universos neque mehercule umquam homines putavi, et noram omnes, sed numquam uno loco videram.Pergamus igitur, quo placet, et nostra omnia relinquamus, proficiscamur ad eum, cui gratior noster adventus erit, quam si una fuissemus. Tum enim eramus in maxima spe, nunc ego quidem in nulla; nec praeter me quisquam Italia cessit, nisi qui hunc inimicum sibi putaret. Nec mehercule hoc facio rei publicae causa, quam funditus deletam puto, sed ne quis me putet ingratum in eum, qui me levavit iis incommodis, quibus idem adfecerat, et simul quod ea, quae fiunt, aut quae certe futura sunt, videre non possum. Etiam equidem senatus consulta facta quaedam iam puto, utinam in Volcaci sententiam! Sed quid refert? est enim una sententia omnium. Sed erit immitissimus Servius, qui filium misit ad effligendum Cn. Pompeium aut certe capiendum cum Pontio Titiniano. Etsi hic quidem timoris causa, ille vero?[Pg 269]So dark and direful is thecoup d'oeilof this vast calamity. Levies are being made; troops are being drafted into winter quarters. These measures are hardships in themselves even when taken by loyalists, when the war is just, when there is some consideration. You can imagine how bitter they are when taken quite tyrannically by desperadoes in wicked civil war. But you must remember that every scoundrel in Italy is of the party. I saw them all together at Formiae. I could hardly believe them to be human. I knew every one of them, but I had never seen the whole collection together.Let us go then whither we please, and leave our all behind. Let us set out to Pompey, who will be more gratified at our arrival than if we had been with him all along. For then we had great hopes; but now I at least have none: nor has anyone except myself departed from Italy, unless he imagines Caesar to be his enemy. Heaven be my witness I do not take this step for the sake of the Republic, which to my mind is utterly destroyed, but for fear I may be charged with ingratitude to one who relieved me from the inconveniences which he himself had inflicted: and, at the same time, because I cannot endure the sight of the horrors that are happening and are bound to happen. Moreover I fancy that now decrees of the Senate have been passed, and my only hope is that they will agree with Volcacius' proposal. But what does it matter? There is only one proposal for everybody. But the most implacable enemy will be Servius, who has sent his son with Pontius Titinianus to destroy or at least to capture Gnaeus Pompey. Though Titinianus has the excuse of fear, what excuse has Servius? But let us cease

[Pg 268]

tam atrox est ἀναθεώρησις huius ingentis mali. Dilectus habentur, in hiberna deducuntur. Ea, quae, etiam cum a bonis viris, cum iusto in bello, cum modeste fiunt, tamen ipsa per se molesta sunt, quam censes acerba nunc esse, cum a perditis in civili nefario bello petulantissime fiant! Cave autem putes quemquam hominem in Italia turpem esse, qui hinc absit. Vidi ipse Formiis universos neque mehercule umquam homines putavi, et noram omnes, sed numquam uno loco videram.

Pergamus igitur, quo placet, et nostra omnia relinquamus, proficiscamur ad eum, cui gratior noster adventus erit, quam si una fuissemus. Tum enim eramus in maxima spe, nunc ego quidem in nulla; nec praeter me quisquam Italia cessit, nisi qui hunc inimicum sibi putaret. Nec mehercule hoc facio rei publicae causa, quam funditus deletam puto, sed ne quis me putet ingratum in eum, qui me levavit iis incommodis, quibus idem adfecerat, et simul quod ea, quae fiunt, aut quae certe futura sunt, videre non possum. Etiam equidem senatus consulta facta quaedam iam puto, utinam in Volcaci sententiam! Sed quid refert? est enim una sententia omnium. Sed erit immitissimus Servius, qui filium misit ad effligendum Cn. Pompeium aut certe capiendum cum Pontio Titiniano. Etsi hic quidem timoris causa, ille vero?

[Pg 269]So dark and direful is thecoup d'oeilof this vast calamity. Levies are being made; troops are being drafted into winter quarters. These measures are hardships in themselves even when taken by loyalists, when the war is just, when there is some consideration. You can imagine how bitter they are when taken quite tyrannically by desperadoes in wicked civil war. But you must remember that every scoundrel in Italy is of the party. I saw them all together at Formiae. I could hardly believe them to be human. I knew every one of them, but I had never seen the whole collection together.Let us go then whither we please, and leave our all behind. Let us set out to Pompey, who will be more gratified at our arrival than if we had been with him all along. For then we had great hopes; but now I at least have none: nor has anyone except myself departed from Italy, unless he imagines Caesar to be his enemy. Heaven be my witness I do not take this step for the sake of the Republic, which to my mind is utterly destroyed, but for fear I may be charged with ingratitude to one who relieved me from the inconveniences which he himself had inflicted: and, at the same time, because I cannot endure the sight of the horrors that are happening and are bound to happen. Moreover I fancy that now decrees of the Senate have been passed, and my only hope is that they will agree with Volcacius' proposal. But what does it matter? There is only one proposal for everybody. But the most implacable enemy will be Servius, who has sent his son with Pontius Titinianus to destroy or at least to capture Gnaeus Pompey. Though Titinianus has the excuse of fear, what excuse has Servius? But let us cease

[Pg 269]

So dark and direful is thecoup d'oeilof this vast calamity. Levies are being made; troops are being drafted into winter quarters. These measures are hardships in themselves even when taken by loyalists, when the war is just, when there is some consideration. You can imagine how bitter they are when taken quite tyrannically by desperadoes in wicked civil war. But you must remember that every scoundrel in Italy is of the party. I saw them all together at Formiae. I could hardly believe them to be human. I knew every one of them, but I had never seen the whole collection together.

Let us go then whither we please, and leave our all behind. Let us set out to Pompey, who will be more gratified at our arrival than if we had been with him all along. For then we had great hopes; but now I at least have none: nor has anyone except myself departed from Italy, unless he imagines Caesar to be his enemy. Heaven be my witness I do not take this step for the sake of the Republic, which to my mind is utterly destroyed, but for fear I may be charged with ingratitude to one who relieved me from the inconveniences which he himself had inflicted: and, at the same time, because I cannot endure the sight of the horrors that are happening and are bound to happen. Moreover I fancy that now decrees of the Senate have been passed, and my only hope is that they will agree with Volcacius' proposal. But what does it matter? There is only one proposal for everybody. But the most implacable enemy will be Servius, who has sent his son with Pontius Titinianus to destroy or at least to capture Gnaeus Pompey. Though Titinianus has the excuse of fear, what excuse has Servius? But let us cease

[Pg 270]Sed stomachari desinamus et aliquando sentiamus nihil nobis nisi, id quod minime vellem, spiritum reliquum esse.Nos, quoniam superum mare obsidetur, infero navigabimus, et, si Puteolis erit difficile, Crotonem petemus aut Thurios et boni cives amantes patriae mare infestum habebimus. Aliam rationem huius belli gerendi nullam video. In Aegyptum nos abdemus. Exercitu pares esse non possumus; pacis fides nulla est. Sed haec satis deplorata sunt.Tu velim litteras Cephalioni des de omnibus rebus actis, denique etiam de sermonibus hominum, nisi plane obmutuerunt. Ego tuis consiliis usus sum maximeque, quod et gravitatem in congressu nostro tenui, quam debui, et, ad urbem ut non accederem, perseveravi. Quod superest, scribe, quaeso, quam accuratissime (iam enim extrema sunt), quid placeat, quid censeas; etsi iam nulla dubitatio est. Tamen, si quid vel potius quicquid veniet in mentem, scribas velim.[Pg 271]from anger and let us reflect that there is nothing left us now except what to me is least desirable—life.As for me, since the Adriatic is beset, I shall sail by the lower sea, and, if it be difficult to start from Puteoli, I shall seek Croton or Thurii, and like a loyal and patriotic citizen play the pirate. Other means of conducting this war I see none. We will go and bury ourselves in Egypt. We cannot match Caesar on land, and we cannot rely on peace. But enough of this outcry.Please entrust a letter to Cephalio about all that has been done, and even about people's talk, unless men have become quite dumb. I followed your advice, especially when I maintained in our conversation a proper dignity and persisted in my refusal to go to Rome. For the rest please write to me in as much detail as possible (for the worst has come to the worst) what you approve and what you think, though now there can be no doubt. But yet, if anything comes into your mind, or rather whatever comes into your mind, please write to me.

[Pg 270]

Sed stomachari desinamus et aliquando sentiamus nihil nobis nisi, id quod minime vellem, spiritum reliquum esse.

Nos, quoniam superum mare obsidetur, infero navigabimus, et, si Puteolis erit difficile, Crotonem petemus aut Thurios et boni cives amantes patriae mare infestum habebimus. Aliam rationem huius belli gerendi nullam video. In Aegyptum nos abdemus. Exercitu pares esse non possumus; pacis fides nulla est. Sed haec satis deplorata sunt.

Tu velim litteras Cephalioni des de omnibus rebus actis, denique etiam de sermonibus hominum, nisi plane obmutuerunt. Ego tuis consiliis usus sum maximeque, quod et gravitatem in congressu nostro tenui, quam debui, et, ad urbem ut non accederem, perseveravi. Quod superest, scribe, quaeso, quam accuratissime (iam enim extrema sunt), quid placeat, quid censeas; etsi iam nulla dubitatio est. Tamen, si quid vel potius quicquid veniet in mentem, scribas velim.

[Pg 271]from anger and let us reflect that there is nothing left us now except what to me is least desirable—life.As for me, since the Adriatic is beset, I shall sail by the lower sea, and, if it be difficult to start from Puteoli, I shall seek Croton or Thurii, and like a loyal and patriotic citizen play the pirate. Other means of conducting this war I see none. We will go and bury ourselves in Egypt. We cannot match Caesar on land, and we cannot rely on peace. But enough of this outcry.Please entrust a letter to Cephalio about all that has been done, and even about people's talk, unless men have become quite dumb. I followed your advice, especially when I maintained in our conversation a proper dignity and persisted in my refusal to go to Rome. For the rest please write to me in as much detail as possible (for the worst has come to the worst) what you approve and what you think, though now there can be no doubt. But yet, if anything comes into your mind, or rather whatever comes into your mind, please write to me.

[Pg 271]

from anger and let us reflect that there is nothing left us now except what to me is least desirable—life.

As for me, since the Adriatic is beset, I shall sail by the lower sea, and, if it be difficult to start from Puteoli, I shall seek Croton or Thurii, and like a loyal and patriotic citizen play the pirate. Other means of conducting this war I see none. We will go and bury ourselves in Egypt. We cannot match Caesar on land, and we cannot rely on peace. But enough of this outcry.

Please entrust a letter to Cephalio about all that has been done, and even about people's talk, unless men have become quite dumb. I followed your advice, especially when I maintained in our conversation a proper dignity and persisted in my refusal to go to Rome. For the rest please write to me in as much detail as possible (for the worst has come to the worst) what you approve and what you think, though now there can be no doubt. But yet, if anything comes into your mind, or rather whatever comes into your mind, please write to me.

[Pg 272]M. TULLI CICERONIS EPISTULARUM AD ATTICUM LIBER DECIMUSICICERO ATTICO SAL.Scr. in Laterio Quinti fratis III Non. Apr. a. 705IIINonas cum in Laterium fratris venissem, accepi litteras tuas et paulum respiravi, quod post has ruinas mihi non acciderat. Per enim magni aestimo tibi firmitudinem animi nostri et factum nostrum probari. Sexto enim nostro quod scribis probari, ita laetor, ut me quasi patris eius, cui semper uni plurimum tribui, iudicio comprobari putem. Qui mihi, quod saepe soleo recordari, dixit olim Nonis illis Decembribus, cum ego "Sexte, quidnam ergo?" "Μὴ μάν, inquit ille, ἀσπουδί γε καὶ ἀκλειῶς ἀπολοίμην, ἀλλὰ μέγα ῥέξας τι καὶ ἐσσομένοισι πυθέσθαι." Eius igitur mihi vivit auctoritas, et simillimus eius filius eodem est apud me pondere, quo fuit ille. Quem salvere velim iubeas plurimum.Tu tuum consilium etsi non in longinquum tempus differs (iam enim illum emptum pacificatorem perorasse puto, iam actum aliquid esse in consessu senatorum; senatum enim non puto), tamen suspensum meum detines, sed eo minus, quod non dubito, quid nobis agendum putes. Qui enim Flavio legionem et Siciliam dari scribas, et id iam fieri, quae tu scelera[Pg 273]CICERO'S LETTERS TO ATTICUS BOOK XICICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Laterium, April 3,B.C.49IliadXXII, 304On the third of April coming to my brother's house at Laterium, I got your letter with some little relief, a thing which had not happened to me since this disaster began. For I attach very great weight to your approval of my firmness of mind and my action. As for your writing that it meets with the approval of my friend Sextus, I am as glad as if I fancied myself to have won the approval of his father, on whose judgement I always set the very highest value. I often call to mind how it was he who said to me on that famous December the 5th, when I asked him what we were to do next: "Let me not die a coward and shameful death, but greatly daring live in fame for aye." So his influence lives for me, and his son, who is very like him, has the same weight as he. Please give him my best compliments.Your plan, it is true, you postpone for a very short time,—for I fancy by now that that venal peace-maker must have wound up his speech, and something must have been done in the session of Senators, for I don't consider it a Senate,—still you keep mine in suspense, but the less so because I have no doubt as to what you think we should do. For when you write that Flavius is offered a legion and Sicily, and that the matter is now in hand, just think what

[Pg 272]

Scr. in Laterio Quinti fratis III Non. Apr. a. 705

IIINonas cum in Laterium fratris venissem, accepi litteras tuas et paulum respiravi, quod post has ruinas mihi non acciderat. Per enim magni aestimo tibi firmitudinem animi nostri et factum nostrum probari. Sexto enim nostro quod scribis probari, ita laetor, ut me quasi patris eius, cui semper uni plurimum tribui, iudicio comprobari putem. Qui mihi, quod saepe soleo recordari, dixit olim Nonis illis Decembribus, cum ego "Sexte, quidnam ergo?" "Μὴ μάν, inquit ille, ἀσπουδί γε καὶ ἀκλειῶς ἀπολοίμην, ἀλλὰ μέγα ῥέξας τι καὶ ἐσσομένοισι πυθέσθαι." Eius igitur mihi vivit auctoritas, et simillimus eius filius eodem est apud me pondere, quo fuit ille. Quem salvere velim iubeas plurimum.

Tu tuum consilium etsi non in longinquum tempus differs (iam enim illum emptum pacificatorem perorasse puto, iam actum aliquid esse in consessu senatorum; senatum enim non puto), tamen suspensum meum detines, sed eo minus, quod non dubito, quid nobis agendum putes. Qui enim Flavio legionem et Siciliam dari scribas, et id iam fieri, quae tu scelera

[Pg 273]CICERO'S LETTERS TO ATTICUS BOOK XICICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Laterium, April 3,B.C.49IliadXXII, 304On the third of April coming to my brother's house at Laterium, I got your letter with some little relief, a thing which had not happened to me since this disaster began. For I attach very great weight to your approval of my firmness of mind and my action. As for your writing that it meets with the approval of my friend Sextus, I am as glad as if I fancied myself to have won the approval of his father, on whose judgement I always set the very highest value. I often call to mind how it was he who said to me on that famous December the 5th, when I asked him what we were to do next: "Let me not die a coward and shameful death, but greatly daring live in fame for aye." So his influence lives for me, and his son, who is very like him, has the same weight as he. Please give him my best compliments.Your plan, it is true, you postpone for a very short time,—for I fancy by now that that venal peace-maker must have wound up his speech, and something must have been done in the session of Senators, for I don't consider it a Senate,—still you keep mine in suspense, but the less so because I have no doubt as to what you think we should do. For when you write that Flavius is offered a legion and Sicily, and that the matter is now in hand, just think what

[Pg 273]

Laterium, April 3,B.C.49

IliadXXII, 304

On the third of April coming to my brother's house at Laterium, I got your letter with some little relief, a thing which had not happened to me since this disaster began. For I attach very great weight to your approval of my firmness of mind and my action. As for your writing that it meets with the approval of my friend Sextus, I am as glad as if I fancied myself to have won the approval of his father, on whose judgement I always set the very highest value. I often call to mind how it was he who said to me on that famous December the 5th, when I asked him what we were to do next: "Let me not die a coward and shameful death, but greatly daring live in fame for aye." So his influence lives for me, and his son, who is very like him, has the same weight as he. Please give him my best compliments.

Your plan, it is true, you postpone for a very short time,—for I fancy by now that that venal peace-maker must have wound up his speech, and something must have been done in the session of Senators, for I don't consider it a Senate,—still you keep mine in suspense, but the less so because I have no doubt as to what you think we should do. For when you write that Flavius is offered a legion and Sicily, and that the matter is now in hand, just think what

[Pg 274]partim parari iam et cogitari, partim ex tempore futura censes? Ego vero Solonis, popularis tui, ut puto, etiam mei, legem neglegam, qui capite sanxit, si qui in seditione non alterius utrius partis fuisset, et, nisi si tu aliter censes, et hinc abero et illim. Sed alterum mihi est certius, nec praeripiam tamen. Exspectabo tuum consilium et eas litteras, nisi alias iam dedisti, quas scripsi ut Cephalioni dares.Quod scribis, non quo aliunde audieris, sed te ipsum putare me attractum iri, si de pace agatur, mihi omnino non venit in mentem, quae possit actio esse de pace, cum illi certissimum sit, si possit, exspoliare exercitu et provincia Pompeium; nisi forte iste nummarius ei potest persuadere, ut, dum oratores eant, redeant, quiescat. Nihil video, quod sperem aut quod iam putem fieri posse. Sed tamen hominis hoc ipsum probi est et magnum τι[119]τῶν πολιτικωτάτων σκεμμάτων, veniendumne sit in consilium tyranni, si is aliqua de re bona deliberaturus sit. Quare, si quid eius modi evenerit, ut arcessamur (quod equidem non credo.[120]Quid enim essem de pace dicturus, dixi; ipse valde repudiavit), sed tamen, si quid acciderit, quid censeas mihi faciendum, utique scribito. Nihil enini mihi adhuc accidit, quod maioris consilii esset.[119]et magnum τιWesenberg; magnum sitMSS.[120]credoBoot: curoMSS.Trebati, boni viri et civis, verbis te gaudeo delectatum, tuaque ista crebra ἐκφώνησις ὑπέρευ me sola adhuc delectavit. Litteras tuas vehementer[Pg 275]iniquities are being prepared and meditated, some now and some in the future? I shall certainly neglect the law of Solon, your countryman, and I imagine mine too soon, who provided the death penalty for anyone who should not take one side in a revolution, and, unless you advise otherwise, I shall keep apart both from Caesar and Pompey. The former course is quite certain: but I shall not forestall events. I shall await your advice and the letter which I asked you to give to Cephalio—unless you have now sent another.You write, not on the authority of anyone, but as your own idea, that I shall be drawn into any negotiations there may be for peace. I cannot imagine that there can be such negotiations, since it is Caesar's positive determination to rob Pompey, if possible, of army and province, unless perhaps that hireling can induce him to keep quiet, pending the passage to and fro of intermediaries. I see nothing that I can hope for or even imagine is likely to happen. However this is the very question for an honest man to decide and one of the great questions ofla haute politique, whether one may enter the council of a tyrant, if the subject of debate is good. Therefore, if anything should happen to cause me to be summoned—I don't in the least expect anything will, for I have said all I can say about peace, and Caesar was determined to repudiate it—still, if anything should happen, write and tell me what you think I should do in any case. For so far nothing has happened that demands greater deliberation.I am glad you are pleased with the words of that loyal citizen Trebatius, and your frequent bravos have so far been my sole pleasure. Your letter I

[Pg 274]

partim parari iam et cogitari, partim ex tempore futura censes? Ego vero Solonis, popularis tui, ut puto, etiam mei, legem neglegam, qui capite sanxit, si qui in seditione non alterius utrius partis fuisset, et, nisi si tu aliter censes, et hinc abero et illim. Sed alterum mihi est certius, nec praeripiam tamen. Exspectabo tuum consilium et eas litteras, nisi alias iam dedisti, quas scripsi ut Cephalioni dares.

Quod scribis, non quo aliunde audieris, sed te ipsum putare me attractum iri, si de pace agatur, mihi omnino non venit in mentem, quae possit actio esse de pace, cum illi certissimum sit, si possit, exspoliare exercitu et provincia Pompeium; nisi forte iste nummarius ei potest persuadere, ut, dum oratores eant, redeant, quiescat. Nihil video, quod sperem aut quod iam putem fieri posse. Sed tamen hominis hoc ipsum probi est et magnum τι[119]τῶν πολιτικωτάτων σκεμμάτων, veniendumne sit in consilium tyranni, si is aliqua de re bona deliberaturus sit. Quare, si quid eius modi evenerit, ut arcessamur (quod equidem non credo.[120]Quid enim essem de pace dicturus, dixi; ipse valde repudiavit), sed tamen, si quid acciderit, quid censeas mihi faciendum, utique scribito. Nihil enini mihi adhuc accidit, quod maioris consilii esset.

[119]et magnum τιWesenberg; magnum sitMSS.

[120]credoBoot: curoMSS.

Trebati, boni viri et civis, verbis te gaudeo delectatum, tuaque ista crebra ἐκφώνησις ὑπέρευ me sola adhuc delectavit. Litteras tuas vehementer

[Pg 275]iniquities are being prepared and meditated, some now and some in the future? I shall certainly neglect the law of Solon, your countryman, and I imagine mine too soon, who provided the death penalty for anyone who should not take one side in a revolution, and, unless you advise otherwise, I shall keep apart both from Caesar and Pompey. The former course is quite certain: but I shall not forestall events. I shall await your advice and the letter which I asked you to give to Cephalio—unless you have now sent another.You write, not on the authority of anyone, but as your own idea, that I shall be drawn into any negotiations there may be for peace. I cannot imagine that there can be such negotiations, since it is Caesar's positive determination to rob Pompey, if possible, of army and province, unless perhaps that hireling can induce him to keep quiet, pending the passage to and fro of intermediaries. I see nothing that I can hope for or even imagine is likely to happen. However this is the very question for an honest man to decide and one of the great questions ofla haute politique, whether one may enter the council of a tyrant, if the subject of debate is good. Therefore, if anything should happen to cause me to be summoned—I don't in the least expect anything will, for I have said all I can say about peace, and Caesar was determined to repudiate it—still, if anything should happen, write and tell me what you think I should do in any case. For so far nothing has happened that demands greater deliberation.I am glad you are pleased with the words of that loyal citizen Trebatius, and your frequent bravos have so far been my sole pleasure. Your letter I

[Pg 275]

iniquities are being prepared and meditated, some now and some in the future? I shall certainly neglect the law of Solon, your countryman, and I imagine mine too soon, who provided the death penalty for anyone who should not take one side in a revolution, and, unless you advise otherwise, I shall keep apart both from Caesar and Pompey. The former course is quite certain: but I shall not forestall events. I shall await your advice and the letter which I asked you to give to Cephalio—unless you have now sent another.

You write, not on the authority of anyone, but as your own idea, that I shall be drawn into any negotiations there may be for peace. I cannot imagine that there can be such negotiations, since it is Caesar's positive determination to rob Pompey, if possible, of army and province, unless perhaps that hireling can induce him to keep quiet, pending the passage to and fro of intermediaries. I see nothing that I can hope for or even imagine is likely to happen. However this is the very question for an honest man to decide and one of the great questions ofla haute politique, whether one may enter the council of a tyrant, if the subject of debate is good. Therefore, if anything should happen to cause me to be summoned—I don't in the least expect anything will, for I have said all I can say about peace, and Caesar was determined to repudiate it—still, if anything should happen, write and tell me what you think I should do in any case. For so far nothing has happened that demands greater deliberation.

I am glad you are pleased with the words of that loyal citizen Trebatius, and your frequent bravos have so far been my sole pleasure. Your letter I

[Pg 276]exspecto; quas quidem credo iam datas esse. Tu cum Sexto servasti gravitatem eandem, quam mihi praecipis. Celer tuus disertus magis est quam sapiens. De iuvenibus quae ex Tullia audisti, vera sunt. Mucianum[121]istud, quod scribis, non mihi videtur tam re esse triste quam verbo. Haec est ἄλη, in qua nunc sumus, mortis instar. Aut enim mihi libere inter malos πολιτευτέον fuit aut vel periculose cum bonis. Aut oportet temeritatem bonorum sequamur aut audaciam improborum insectemur. Utrumque periculosum est, at hoc, quod agimus, turpe nec tamen tutum.[121]MucianumReid: MaconiMSS.Istum, qui filium Brundisium de pace misit (de pace idem sentio quod tu, simulationem esse apertam, parari autem acerrime bellum), me legatum iri non arbitror, cuius adhuc, ut optavi, mentio facta nulla sit. Eo minus habeo necesse scribere aut etiam cogitare, quid sim facturus, si acciderit, ut legarer.IICICERO ATTICO SAL.Scr. in Arcano Quinti fr. postr. Non. Apr. a. 705Ego cum accepissem tuas litteras Nonis Aprilibus, quas Cephalio attulerat, essemque Menturnis postridie mansurus, ut inde protinus, sustinui me in Arcano fratris, ut, dum aliquid certius adferretur, occultiore in loco essemus, agerenturque nihilo minus, quae sine nobis agi possunt.[Pg 277]await eagerly. I expect it has been dispatched now. With Sextus you have preserved the same dignity that you prescribe for me. Your friend Celer has more wit than wisdom. What you heard from Tullia about the boys is true. Mucius' ending,[122]which you mention, does not seem to me so sad as it sounds. It is this distraction in which we now find ourselves that is like death. For I have the alternative, either to take part in politics with a free hand among the disloyal, or to side with the loyal at all costs. I ought either to follow the loyalists in their rashness or attack the other party in its daring. Either course spells danger: but my present action brings shame without safety.[122]Cf. ix, 12.The man who sent his son to Brundisium to negotiate peace (my views on peace are yours, that it is patent pretence, but that war is being prosecuted with the utmost activity) that man I think and not I will be chosen as commissioner. So far to my relief I have heard nothing. So I fancy it less necessary to write or consider my possible course of action, if I should happen to be chosen.IICICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Arcanum, April 6,B.C.49I received your letter brought by Cephalio on the 5th of April. The next day I intended to stop at Menturnae, and to return thence at once. I halted at my brother's place at Arcanum in order that I might be in a more retired place till I get certain news and that such preparations for the journey, as did not need my presence, might be made.

[Pg 276]

exspecto; quas quidem credo iam datas esse. Tu cum Sexto servasti gravitatem eandem, quam mihi praecipis. Celer tuus disertus magis est quam sapiens. De iuvenibus quae ex Tullia audisti, vera sunt. Mucianum[121]istud, quod scribis, non mihi videtur tam re esse triste quam verbo. Haec est ἄλη, in qua nunc sumus, mortis instar. Aut enim mihi libere inter malos πολιτευτέον fuit aut vel periculose cum bonis. Aut oportet temeritatem bonorum sequamur aut audaciam improborum insectemur. Utrumque periculosum est, at hoc, quod agimus, turpe nec tamen tutum.

[121]MucianumReid: MaconiMSS.

Istum, qui filium Brundisium de pace misit (de pace idem sentio quod tu, simulationem esse apertam, parari autem acerrime bellum), me legatum iri non arbitror, cuius adhuc, ut optavi, mentio facta nulla sit. Eo minus habeo necesse scribere aut etiam cogitare, quid sim facturus, si acciderit, ut legarer.

Scr. in Arcano Quinti fr. postr. Non. Apr. a. 705

Ego cum accepissem tuas litteras Nonis Aprilibus, quas Cephalio attulerat, essemque Menturnis postridie mansurus, ut inde protinus, sustinui me in Arcano fratris, ut, dum aliquid certius adferretur, occultiore in loco essemus, agerenturque nihilo minus, quae sine nobis agi possunt.

[Pg 277]await eagerly. I expect it has been dispatched now. With Sextus you have preserved the same dignity that you prescribe for me. Your friend Celer has more wit than wisdom. What you heard from Tullia about the boys is true. Mucius' ending,[122]which you mention, does not seem to me so sad as it sounds. It is this distraction in which we now find ourselves that is like death. For I have the alternative, either to take part in politics with a free hand among the disloyal, or to side with the loyal at all costs. I ought either to follow the loyalists in their rashness or attack the other party in its daring. Either course spells danger: but my present action brings shame without safety.[122]Cf. ix, 12.The man who sent his son to Brundisium to negotiate peace (my views on peace are yours, that it is patent pretence, but that war is being prosecuted with the utmost activity) that man I think and not I will be chosen as commissioner. So far to my relief I have heard nothing. So I fancy it less necessary to write or consider my possible course of action, if I should happen to be chosen.IICICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Arcanum, April 6,B.C.49I received your letter brought by Cephalio on the 5th of April. The next day I intended to stop at Menturnae, and to return thence at once. I halted at my brother's place at Arcanum in order that I might be in a more retired place till I get certain news and that such preparations for the journey, as did not need my presence, might be made.

[Pg 277]

await eagerly. I expect it has been dispatched now. With Sextus you have preserved the same dignity that you prescribe for me. Your friend Celer has more wit than wisdom. What you heard from Tullia about the boys is true. Mucius' ending,[122]which you mention, does not seem to me so sad as it sounds. It is this distraction in which we now find ourselves that is like death. For I have the alternative, either to take part in politics with a free hand among the disloyal, or to side with the loyal at all costs. I ought either to follow the loyalists in their rashness or attack the other party in its daring. Either course spells danger: but my present action brings shame without safety.

[122]Cf. ix, 12.

The man who sent his son to Brundisium to negotiate peace (my views on peace are yours, that it is patent pretence, but that war is being prosecuted with the utmost activity) that man I think and not I will be chosen as commissioner. So far to my relief I have heard nothing. So I fancy it less necessary to write or consider my possible course of action, if I should happen to be chosen.

Arcanum, April 6,B.C.49

I received your letter brought by Cephalio on the 5th of April. The next day I intended to stop at Menturnae, and to return thence at once. I halted at my brother's place at Arcanum in order that I might be in a more retired place till I get certain news and that such preparations for the journey, as did not need my presence, might be made.

[Pg 278]Λαλαγεῦσα iam adest, et animus ardet, neque est quicquam, quo et qua. Sed haec nostra erit cura et peritorum. Tu tamen, quod poteris, ut adhuc fecisti, nos consiliis iuvabis. Res sunt inexplicabiles. Fortunae sunt committenda omnia. Sine spe conamur ulla. Melius si quid acciderit, mirabimur. Dionysium nollem ad me profectum; de quo ad me Tullia mea scripsit. Sed et tempus alienum est, et homini non amico nostra incommoda, tanta praesertim, spectaculo esse nollem; cui te meo nomine inimicum esse nolo.IIICICERO ATTICO SAL.Scr. in Arcano VII Id. Apr. a. 705Cum, quod scriberem, plane nihil haberem, haec autem reliqua essent, quae scire cuperem, profectusne esset, quo in statu urbem reliquisset, in ipsa Italia quem cuique regioni aut negotio praefecisset, ecqui essent ad Pompeium et ad consules ex senatus consulto de pace legati, cum igitur haec scire cuperem, dedita opera has ad te litteras misi. Feceris igitur commode mihique gratum, si me de his rebus, et si quid erit aliud, quod scire opus sit, feceris certiorem. Ego in Arcano opperior, dum ista cognosco.[Pg 279]The "bird that twitters of flight"[123]is here and I am afire with eagerness, though I have no idea of destination or route. But these will be considered by me and by those who know. You however must assist me with your advice, so far as possible, as you have before. The tangle cannot be unravelled. Everything must be entrusted to fortune. We are simply struggling without hope. If anything better happens, I shall be surprised. I would rather Dionysius did not come to me: Tullia has written to me about him. The time is unsuitable, and I should prefer that discomforts as great as mine should not be seen by a man who is not my friend. But I do not want you to be his enemy on my account.[123]Cf. ix, 18.IIICICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Arcanum, April 7,B.C.49Though I have nothing at all to write about, yet these points remain, which I want to know. Has Caesar started? In what condition has he left Rome? In Italy itself whom has he placed in charge of each region or department? Who were sent to Pompey and the consuls as peace commissioners according to the decree of the Senate? To make these inquiries I have taken the trouble to send this letter. So you will do well and please me, if you inform me on these points and of anything else which I ought to know. I stay in Arcanum till I get information.

[Pg 278]

Λαλαγεῦσα iam adest, et animus ardet, neque est quicquam, quo et qua. Sed haec nostra erit cura et peritorum. Tu tamen, quod poteris, ut adhuc fecisti, nos consiliis iuvabis. Res sunt inexplicabiles. Fortunae sunt committenda omnia. Sine spe conamur ulla. Melius si quid acciderit, mirabimur. Dionysium nollem ad me profectum; de quo ad me Tullia mea scripsit. Sed et tempus alienum est, et homini non amico nostra incommoda, tanta praesertim, spectaculo esse nollem; cui te meo nomine inimicum esse nolo.

Scr. in Arcano VII Id. Apr. a. 705

Cum, quod scriberem, plane nihil haberem, haec autem reliqua essent, quae scire cuperem, profectusne esset, quo in statu urbem reliquisset, in ipsa Italia quem cuique regioni aut negotio praefecisset, ecqui essent ad Pompeium et ad consules ex senatus consulto de pace legati, cum igitur haec scire cuperem, dedita opera has ad te litteras misi. Feceris igitur commode mihique gratum, si me de his rebus, et si quid erit aliud, quod scire opus sit, feceris certiorem. Ego in Arcano opperior, dum ista cognosco.

[Pg 279]The "bird that twitters of flight"[123]is here and I am afire with eagerness, though I have no idea of destination or route. But these will be considered by me and by those who know. You however must assist me with your advice, so far as possible, as you have before. The tangle cannot be unravelled. Everything must be entrusted to fortune. We are simply struggling without hope. If anything better happens, I shall be surprised. I would rather Dionysius did not come to me: Tullia has written to me about him. The time is unsuitable, and I should prefer that discomforts as great as mine should not be seen by a man who is not my friend. But I do not want you to be his enemy on my account.[123]Cf. ix, 18.IIICICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Arcanum, April 7,B.C.49Though I have nothing at all to write about, yet these points remain, which I want to know. Has Caesar started? In what condition has he left Rome? In Italy itself whom has he placed in charge of each region or department? Who were sent to Pompey and the consuls as peace commissioners according to the decree of the Senate? To make these inquiries I have taken the trouble to send this letter. So you will do well and please me, if you inform me on these points and of anything else which I ought to know. I stay in Arcanum till I get information.

[Pg 279]

The "bird that twitters of flight"[123]is here and I am afire with eagerness, though I have no idea of destination or route. But these will be considered by me and by those who know. You however must assist me with your advice, so far as possible, as you have before. The tangle cannot be unravelled. Everything must be entrusted to fortune. We are simply struggling without hope. If anything better happens, I shall be surprised. I would rather Dionysius did not come to me: Tullia has written to me about him. The time is unsuitable, and I should prefer that discomforts as great as mine should not be seen by a man who is not my friend. But I do not want you to be his enemy on my account.

[123]Cf. ix, 18.

Arcanum, April 7,B.C.49

Though I have nothing at all to write about, yet these points remain, which I want to know. Has Caesar started? In what condition has he left Rome? In Italy itself whom has he placed in charge of each region or department? Who were sent to Pompey and the consuls as peace commissioners according to the decree of the Senate? To make these inquiries I have taken the trouble to send this letter. So you will do well and please me, if you inform me on these points and of anything else which I ought to know. I stay in Arcanum till I get information.

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