[Pg 420]ut de hac misera cogites, et illud, de quo ad te proxime scripsi, ut aliquid conficiatur ad inopiam propulsandam, et etiam de ipso testamento. Illud quoque vellem antea, sed omnia timuimus. Melius quidem in pessimis nihil fuit discidio. Aliquid fecissemus ut viri vel tabularum novarum nomine vel nocturnarum expugnationum vel Metellae vel omnium malorum; nec res perisset, et videremur aliquid doloris virilis habuisse. Memini omnino tuas litteras, sed et tempus illud; etsi quidvis praestitit. Nunc quidem ipse videtur denuntiare; audimus enim de statua Clodi. Generumne nostrum potissimum vel hoc vel tabulas novas! Placet mihi igitur et item tibi nuntium remitti. Petet fortasse tertiam pensionem. Considera igitur, tumne, cum ab ipso nascetur, an prius. Ego, si ullo modo potuero, vel nocturnis itineribus experiar, ut te videam. Tu et haec, et si quid erit, quod intersit mea scire, scribas velim. Vale.[Pg 421]think of my poor girl, both as regards the point about which I wrote lately—making some arrangement to avoid destitution—and also as regards the will itself. The other thing too I wish I had attended to before; but I was afraid of everything. In this very bad business there was nothing better than a divorce. I should have done something like a man, either on the score of his cancelling of debts or his night attacks on houses, or Metella or all his sins together: I should not have lost the money, and I should have shown some manly spirit. I remember of course your letter, but I remember the circumstances too: still anything would have been better than this. Now he seems to be giving notice of divorce himself; for I have heard about the statue of Clodius. To think that a son-in-law of mine above all people should do such a thing as that, or abolish debts! So I agree with you we must serve a notice of divorce on him. Perhaps he will ask for the third instalment of the dowry. So consider whether we should wait for a move of his or act first.[196]If I can possibly manage it, even by night journeys, I will try to see you. Please write to me about this and anything else it may interest me to know. Farewell.[196]If Dolabella started the divorce proceedings, he could not claim the rest of the dowry, and would have to refund what had already been paid. If Tullia began them, part at least of the dowry would remain with him, unless she could prove misconduct.
[Pg 420]ut de hac misera cogites, et illud, de quo ad te proxime scripsi, ut aliquid conficiatur ad inopiam propulsandam, et etiam de ipso testamento. Illud quoque vellem antea, sed omnia timuimus. Melius quidem in pessimis nihil fuit discidio. Aliquid fecissemus ut viri vel tabularum novarum nomine vel nocturnarum expugnationum vel Metellae vel omnium malorum; nec res perisset, et videremur aliquid doloris virilis habuisse. Memini omnino tuas litteras, sed et tempus illud; etsi quidvis praestitit. Nunc quidem ipse videtur denuntiare; audimus enim de statua Clodi. Generumne nostrum potissimum vel hoc vel tabulas novas! Placet mihi igitur et item tibi nuntium remitti. Petet fortasse tertiam pensionem. Considera igitur, tumne, cum ab ipso nascetur, an prius. Ego, si ullo modo potuero, vel nocturnis itineribus experiar, ut te videam. Tu et haec, et si quid erit, quod intersit mea scire, scribas velim. Vale.
[Pg 420]
ut de hac misera cogites, et illud, de quo ad te proxime scripsi, ut aliquid conficiatur ad inopiam propulsandam, et etiam de ipso testamento. Illud quoque vellem antea, sed omnia timuimus. Melius quidem in pessimis nihil fuit discidio. Aliquid fecissemus ut viri vel tabularum novarum nomine vel nocturnarum expugnationum vel Metellae vel omnium malorum; nec res perisset, et videremur aliquid doloris virilis habuisse. Memini omnino tuas litteras, sed et tempus illud; etsi quidvis praestitit. Nunc quidem ipse videtur denuntiare; audimus enim de statua Clodi. Generumne nostrum potissimum vel hoc vel tabulas novas! Placet mihi igitur et item tibi nuntium remitti. Petet fortasse tertiam pensionem. Considera igitur, tumne, cum ab ipso nascetur, an prius. Ego, si ullo modo potuero, vel nocturnis itineribus experiar, ut te videam. Tu et haec, et si quid erit, quod intersit mea scire, scribas velim. Vale.
[Pg 421]think of my poor girl, both as regards the point about which I wrote lately—making some arrangement to avoid destitution—and also as regards the will itself. The other thing too I wish I had attended to before; but I was afraid of everything. In this very bad business there was nothing better than a divorce. I should have done something like a man, either on the score of his cancelling of debts or his night attacks on houses, or Metella or all his sins together: I should not have lost the money, and I should have shown some manly spirit. I remember of course your letter, but I remember the circumstances too: still anything would have been better than this. Now he seems to be giving notice of divorce himself; for I have heard about the statue of Clodius. To think that a son-in-law of mine above all people should do such a thing as that, or abolish debts! So I agree with you we must serve a notice of divorce on him. Perhaps he will ask for the third instalment of the dowry. So consider whether we should wait for a move of his or act first.[196]If I can possibly manage it, even by night journeys, I will try to see you. Please write to me about this and anything else it may interest me to know. Farewell.[196]If Dolabella started the divorce proceedings, he could not claim the rest of the dowry, and would have to refund what had already been paid. If Tullia began them, part at least of the dowry would remain with him, unless she could prove misconduct.
[Pg 421]
think of my poor girl, both as regards the point about which I wrote lately—making some arrangement to avoid destitution—and also as regards the will itself. The other thing too I wish I had attended to before; but I was afraid of everything. In this very bad business there was nothing better than a divorce. I should have done something like a man, either on the score of his cancelling of debts or his night attacks on houses, or Metella or all his sins together: I should not have lost the money, and I should have shown some manly spirit. I remember of course your letter, but I remember the circumstances too: still anything would have been better than this. Now he seems to be giving notice of divorce himself; for I have heard about the statue of Clodius. To think that a son-in-law of mine above all people should do such a thing as that, or abolish debts! So I agree with you we must serve a notice of divorce on him. Perhaps he will ask for the third instalment of the dowry. So consider whether we should wait for a move of his or act first.[196]If I can possibly manage it, even by night journeys, I will try to see you. Please write to me about this and anything else it may interest me to know. Farewell.
[196]If Dolabella started the divorce proceedings, he could not claim the rest of the dowry, and would have to refund what had already been paid. If Tullia began them, part at least of the dowry would remain with him, unless she could prove misconduct.
[196]If Dolabella started the divorce proceedings, he could not claim the rest of the dowry, and would have to refund what had already been paid. If Tullia began them, part at least of the dowry would remain with him, unless she could prove misconduct.
[Pg 422]XXIVCICERO ATTICO SAL.Scr. Brundisi VIII Id. Sext. a. 707Quae dudum ad me et (quae etiam ad me vis) ad Tulliam de me scripsisti, ea sentio esse vera. Eo sum miserior, etsi nihil videbatur addi posse, quod mihi non modo irasci gravissima iniuria accepta, sed ne dolere quidem impune licet. Quare istuc feramus. Quod cum tulerimus, tamen eadem erunt perpetienda, quae tu ne accidant ut caveamus mones. Ea enim est a nobis contracta culpa, ut omni statu omnique populo eundem exitum habitura videatur.Sed ad meam manum redeo; erunt enim haec occultius agenda. Vide, quaeso, etiam nunc de testamento, quod tum factum cum illa haerere coeperat. Non, credo, te commovit; neque enim rogavit ne me quidem. Sed, quasi ita sit, quoniam in sermonem iam venisti, poteris eam monere, ut alicui committat, cuius extra periculum huius belli fortuna sit. Equidem tibi potissimum velim, si idem illa vellet. Quam quidem celo miseram me hoc timere.De illo altero scio equidem venire nunc nil posse, sed seponi et occultari possunt, ut extra ruinam sint eam, quae impendet. Nam, quod scribis nobis nostra[Pg 423]XXIVCICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Brundisium, Aug. 6,B.C.47What you wrote to me some time ago and to Tullia too about me, with the intention that it should be passed on to me, I feel to be true. It adds to my misery, though I thought nothing could be added, that, when I have received the deepest injury, I cannot show anger or even annoyance with impunity. So I must put up with that. And when I have borne that blow, I shall still have to suffer what you warn me to guard against. For I have got myself into such trouble, that, whatever the state of affairs or the feelings of the people may be, the result for me apparently will be the same.But here I take the pen myself; for I shall have to deal with confidential matters. Please see to the will even now, as it was made when she had begun to get into difficulties. She did not bother you, I think; for she did not even ask me about it. But, supposing that is so, since you have broached the subject already, you will be able to advise her to deposit it with some one whose position is not affected by this war. Myself I would rather you were the person, if she agrees to that. The fact is I am keeping the poor woman in the dark as to that fear of mine.[197][197]That her property would be confiscated.For that other matter, I know of course that nothing can be put up for sale now, but things could be put away and hidden, so that they escape the crash which is threatening. For, when you
[Pg 422]XXIVCICERO ATTICO SAL.Scr. Brundisi VIII Id. Sext. a. 707Quae dudum ad me et (quae etiam ad me vis) ad Tulliam de me scripsisti, ea sentio esse vera. Eo sum miserior, etsi nihil videbatur addi posse, quod mihi non modo irasci gravissima iniuria accepta, sed ne dolere quidem impune licet. Quare istuc feramus. Quod cum tulerimus, tamen eadem erunt perpetienda, quae tu ne accidant ut caveamus mones. Ea enim est a nobis contracta culpa, ut omni statu omnique populo eundem exitum habitura videatur.Sed ad meam manum redeo; erunt enim haec occultius agenda. Vide, quaeso, etiam nunc de testamento, quod tum factum cum illa haerere coeperat. Non, credo, te commovit; neque enim rogavit ne me quidem. Sed, quasi ita sit, quoniam in sermonem iam venisti, poteris eam monere, ut alicui committat, cuius extra periculum huius belli fortuna sit. Equidem tibi potissimum velim, si idem illa vellet. Quam quidem celo miseram me hoc timere.De illo altero scio equidem venire nunc nil posse, sed seponi et occultari possunt, ut extra ruinam sint eam, quae impendet. Nam, quod scribis nobis nostra
[Pg 422]
Scr. Brundisi VIII Id. Sext. a. 707
Quae dudum ad me et (quae etiam ad me vis) ad Tulliam de me scripsisti, ea sentio esse vera. Eo sum miserior, etsi nihil videbatur addi posse, quod mihi non modo irasci gravissima iniuria accepta, sed ne dolere quidem impune licet. Quare istuc feramus. Quod cum tulerimus, tamen eadem erunt perpetienda, quae tu ne accidant ut caveamus mones. Ea enim est a nobis contracta culpa, ut omni statu omnique populo eundem exitum habitura videatur.
Sed ad meam manum redeo; erunt enim haec occultius agenda. Vide, quaeso, etiam nunc de testamento, quod tum factum cum illa haerere coeperat. Non, credo, te commovit; neque enim rogavit ne me quidem. Sed, quasi ita sit, quoniam in sermonem iam venisti, poteris eam monere, ut alicui committat, cuius extra periculum huius belli fortuna sit. Equidem tibi potissimum velim, si idem illa vellet. Quam quidem celo miseram me hoc timere.
De illo altero scio equidem venire nunc nil posse, sed seponi et occultari possunt, ut extra ruinam sint eam, quae impendet. Nam, quod scribis nobis nostra
[Pg 423]XXIVCICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Brundisium, Aug. 6,B.C.47What you wrote to me some time ago and to Tullia too about me, with the intention that it should be passed on to me, I feel to be true. It adds to my misery, though I thought nothing could be added, that, when I have received the deepest injury, I cannot show anger or even annoyance with impunity. So I must put up with that. And when I have borne that blow, I shall still have to suffer what you warn me to guard against. For I have got myself into such trouble, that, whatever the state of affairs or the feelings of the people may be, the result for me apparently will be the same.But here I take the pen myself; for I shall have to deal with confidential matters. Please see to the will even now, as it was made when she had begun to get into difficulties. She did not bother you, I think; for she did not even ask me about it. But, supposing that is so, since you have broached the subject already, you will be able to advise her to deposit it with some one whose position is not affected by this war. Myself I would rather you were the person, if she agrees to that. The fact is I am keeping the poor woman in the dark as to that fear of mine.[197][197]That her property would be confiscated.For that other matter, I know of course that nothing can be put up for sale now, but things could be put away and hidden, so that they escape the crash which is threatening. For, when you
[Pg 423]
Brundisium, Aug. 6,B.C.47
What you wrote to me some time ago and to Tullia too about me, with the intention that it should be passed on to me, I feel to be true. It adds to my misery, though I thought nothing could be added, that, when I have received the deepest injury, I cannot show anger or even annoyance with impunity. So I must put up with that. And when I have borne that blow, I shall still have to suffer what you warn me to guard against. For I have got myself into such trouble, that, whatever the state of affairs or the feelings of the people may be, the result for me apparently will be the same.
But here I take the pen myself; for I shall have to deal with confidential matters. Please see to the will even now, as it was made when she had begun to get into difficulties. She did not bother you, I think; for she did not even ask me about it. But, supposing that is so, since you have broached the subject already, you will be able to advise her to deposit it with some one whose position is not affected by this war. Myself I would rather you were the person, if she agrees to that. The fact is I am keeping the poor woman in the dark as to that fear of mine.[197]
[197]That her property would be confiscated.
[197]That her property would be confiscated.
For that other matter, I know of course that nothing can be put up for sale now, but things could be put away and hidden, so that they escape the crash which is threatening. For, when you
[Pg 424]et tua Tulliae fore parata, tua credo, nostra quae poterunt esse? De Terentia autem (mitto cetera, quae sunt innumerabilia) quid ad hoc addi potest? Scripseras, ut HSXIIpermutaret; tantum esse reliquum de argento. Misit illa CCIↃↃ mihi et adscripsit tantum esse reliquum. Cum hoc tam parvum de parvo detraxerit, perspicis, quid in maxima re fecerit.Philotimus non modo nullus venit, sed ne per litteras quidem aut per nuntium certiorem facit me, quid egerit. Epheso qui veniunt, ibi se eum de suis controversiis in ius adeuntem vidisse nuntiant; quae quidem (ita enim veri simile est) in adventum Caesaris fortasse reiciuntur. Ita aut nihil puto eum habere, quod putet ad me celerius perferendum, aut adeo me in malis esse despectum, ut, etiamsi quid habet, id nisi omnibus suis negotiis confectis ad me referre non curet. Ex quo magnum equidem capio dolorem, sed non tantum, quantum videor debere. Nihil enim mea minus interesse puto, quam quid illinc adferatur. Id quam ob rem, te intellegere certo scio.Quod me mones de vultu et oratione ad tempus accommodanda, etsi difficile est, tamen imperarem mihi, a mea quicquam interesse putarem. Quod scribis litteris putare te Africanum negotium confici posse, vellem scriberes, cur ita putares; mihi quidem nihil in mentem venit, quare id putem fieri posse. Tu tamen velim, si quid erit, quod consolationis aliquid[Pg 425]write that my fortune and yours are at Tullia's service, I believe you as to yours, but what can there be of mine? Now as to Terentia, I omit lots of other things, for what can one add to this? You wrote to her to remit me by bill of exchange £100, saying that was the balance. She sent me 80 guineas,[198]adding that that was all the balance. If she purloins so trifling an amount from so small a total, you can see what she has been doing in the case of larger sums.[198]12,000 and 10,000 sesterces respectively.Not a trace of Philotimus as yet: nay, he has not even informed me by letter or messenger what he has done. Those who come from Ephesus say they saw him there going into court about some lawsuits of his own, which possibly—indeed in all probability—are deferred till Caesar's arrival. So I suppose he either has nothing which he thinks he need hurry to bring to me, or I have sunk so low in my misfortunes that, even if he has, he does not take the trouble to bring it until he has finished all his own business. And that causes me considerable annoyance, but not so much as I think it ought. For I don't think anything matters much less to me than what answer he brings back from that quarter. Why, I am quite sure you know.You advise me to mould my looks and words according to circumstances. It is difficult, but I would put a rein on myself, if I thought it mattered to me at all. You say you think the African business can be arranged by an interchange of letters: I wish you would say, why you think so: for I can't imagine any reason for thinking it possible. However please write to me, if there is anything that would give me
[Pg 424]et tua Tulliae fore parata, tua credo, nostra quae poterunt esse? De Terentia autem (mitto cetera, quae sunt innumerabilia) quid ad hoc addi potest? Scripseras, ut HSXIIpermutaret; tantum esse reliquum de argento. Misit illa CCIↃↃ mihi et adscripsit tantum esse reliquum. Cum hoc tam parvum de parvo detraxerit, perspicis, quid in maxima re fecerit.Philotimus non modo nullus venit, sed ne per litteras quidem aut per nuntium certiorem facit me, quid egerit. Epheso qui veniunt, ibi se eum de suis controversiis in ius adeuntem vidisse nuntiant; quae quidem (ita enim veri simile est) in adventum Caesaris fortasse reiciuntur. Ita aut nihil puto eum habere, quod putet ad me celerius perferendum, aut adeo me in malis esse despectum, ut, etiamsi quid habet, id nisi omnibus suis negotiis confectis ad me referre non curet. Ex quo magnum equidem capio dolorem, sed non tantum, quantum videor debere. Nihil enim mea minus interesse puto, quam quid illinc adferatur. Id quam ob rem, te intellegere certo scio.Quod me mones de vultu et oratione ad tempus accommodanda, etsi difficile est, tamen imperarem mihi, a mea quicquam interesse putarem. Quod scribis litteris putare te Africanum negotium confici posse, vellem scriberes, cur ita putares; mihi quidem nihil in mentem venit, quare id putem fieri posse. Tu tamen velim, si quid erit, quod consolationis aliquid
[Pg 424]
et tua Tulliae fore parata, tua credo, nostra quae poterunt esse? De Terentia autem (mitto cetera, quae sunt innumerabilia) quid ad hoc addi potest? Scripseras, ut HSXIIpermutaret; tantum esse reliquum de argento. Misit illa CCIↃↃ mihi et adscripsit tantum esse reliquum. Cum hoc tam parvum de parvo detraxerit, perspicis, quid in maxima re fecerit.
Philotimus non modo nullus venit, sed ne per litteras quidem aut per nuntium certiorem facit me, quid egerit. Epheso qui veniunt, ibi se eum de suis controversiis in ius adeuntem vidisse nuntiant; quae quidem (ita enim veri simile est) in adventum Caesaris fortasse reiciuntur. Ita aut nihil puto eum habere, quod putet ad me celerius perferendum, aut adeo me in malis esse despectum, ut, etiamsi quid habet, id nisi omnibus suis negotiis confectis ad me referre non curet. Ex quo magnum equidem capio dolorem, sed non tantum, quantum videor debere. Nihil enim mea minus interesse puto, quam quid illinc adferatur. Id quam ob rem, te intellegere certo scio.
Quod me mones de vultu et oratione ad tempus accommodanda, etsi difficile est, tamen imperarem mihi, a mea quicquam interesse putarem. Quod scribis litteris putare te Africanum negotium confici posse, vellem scriberes, cur ita putares; mihi quidem nihil in mentem venit, quare id putem fieri posse. Tu tamen velim, si quid erit, quod consolationis aliquid
[Pg 425]write that my fortune and yours are at Tullia's service, I believe you as to yours, but what can there be of mine? Now as to Terentia, I omit lots of other things, for what can one add to this? You wrote to her to remit me by bill of exchange £100, saying that was the balance. She sent me 80 guineas,[198]adding that that was all the balance. If she purloins so trifling an amount from so small a total, you can see what she has been doing in the case of larger sums.[198]12,000 and 10,000 sesterces respectively.Not a trace of Philotimus as yet: nay, he has not even informed me by letter or messenger what he has done. Those who come from Ephesus say they saw him there going into court about some lawsuits of his own, which possibly—indeed in all probability—are deferred till Caesar's arrival. So I suppose he either has nothing which he thinks he need hurry to bring to me, or I have sunk so low in my misfortunes that, even if he has, he does not take the trouble to bring it until he has finished all his own business. And that causes me considerable annoyance, but not so much as I think it ought. For I don't think anything matters much less to me than what answer he brings back from that quarter. Why, I am quite sure you know.You advise me to mould my looks and words according to circumstances. It is difficult, but I would put a rein on myself, if I thought it mattered to me at all. You say you think the African business can be arranged by an interchange of letters: I wish you would say, why you think so: for I can't imagine any reason for thinking it possible. However please write to me, if there is anything that would give me
[Pg 425]
write that my fortune and yours are at Tullia's service, I believe you as to yours, but what can there be of mine? Now as to Terentia, I omit lots of other things, for what can one add to this? You wrote to her to remit me by bill of exchange £100, saying that was the balance. She sent me 80 guineas,[198]adding that that was all the balance. If she purloins so trifling an amount from so small a total, you can see what she has been doing in the case of larger sums.
[198]12,000 and 10,000 sesterces respectively.
[198]12,000 and 10,000 sesterces respectively.
Not a trace of Philotimus as yet: nay, he has not even informed me by letter or messenger what he has done. Those who come from Ephesus say they saw him there going into court about some lawsuits of his own, which possibly—indeed in all probability—are deferred till Caesar's arrival. So I suppose he either has nothing which he thinks he need hurry to bring to me, or I have sunk so low in my misfortunes that, even if he has, he does not take the trouble to bring it until he has finished all his own business. And that causes me considerable annoyance, but not so much as I think it ought. For I don't think anything matters much less to me than what answer he brings back from that quarter. Why, I am quite sure you know.
You advise me to mould my looks and words according to circumstances. It is difficult, but I would put a rein on myself, if I thought it mattered to me at all. You say you think the African business can be arranged by an interchange of letters: I wish you would say, why you think so: for I can't imagine any reason for thinking it possible. However please write to me, if there is anything that would give me
[Pg 426]habeat, scribas ad me; sin, ut perspicio, nihil erit, scribas id ipsum. Ego ad te, si quid audiero citius, scribam. Vale.VIIIIdus Sextil.XXVCICERO ATTICO SAL.Scr. Brundisi III Non. Quint. a. 707Facile adsentior tuis litteris, quibus exponis pluribus verbis nullum consistere consilium, quo a te possim iuvari. Consolatio certe nulla est, quae levare possit dolorem meum. Nihil est enim contractum casu (nam id esset ferendum), sed omnia fecimus eis erroribus et miseriis et animi et corporis, quibus proximi utinam mederi maluissent! Quam ob rem, quoniam neque consilii tui neque consolationis cuiusquam spes ulla mihi ostenditur, non quaeram haec a te posthac; tantum velim, ne intermittas, scribas ad me, quicquid veniet tibi in mentem, cum habebis, cui des, et dum erit, ad quem des; quod longum non erit.Illum discessisse Alexandria rumor est non firmus ortus ex Sulpici litteris; quas cuncti postea nuntii confirmarunt. Quod verum an falsum sit, quoniam mea nihil interest, utrum malim, nescio.Quod ad te iam pridem de testamento scripsi, apud εὔπιστόν τινα velim ut possit adservari.[199]Ego huius miserrumae fatuitate confectus conflictor. Nihil[199]The MSS. readapud epistolas velim ut possim adversas.I have followed Boot's emendation, though with doubt. Shuckburgh suggestsapud vestales velim depositum adservari.[Pg 427]a crumb of comfort: but, if, as I see is the case, there is nothing, write and tell me that. If I hear anything first I will write to you. Farewell.August 6.XXVCICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Brundisium, July 5,B.C.47I can quite believe what you explain at some length in your letter, that no advice of yours can assist me: and certainly there is no consolation which can relieve my sorrow. For none of my misfortunes has come upon me by fate—that would have been endurable—but I have brought all on myself by my mistakes and my mental and bodily afflictions, which I only wish my nearest and dearest had thought fit to remedy. So, as there is no hope of any advice from you or any consolation, I will not ask for them henceforth: only please do not cease from writing to me anything that may occur to you, when you have anyone to send it by, and so long as there is anyone to send it to; which will not be long.There is a rumour, though not a very certain one, that Caesar has left Alexandria. It came first from a letter of Sulpicius, and has been confirmed by all subsequent messengers. Whether to prefer it to be false or true, I don't know, as it does not matter to me.As I told you already about the will I should like it to be preserved in a safe place.[200]I am worn out and harassed by the infatuation of my unhappy daughter. I don't think there ever was such a child[200]This seems to be the sense, though the reading is doubtful.
[Pg 426]habeat, scribas ad me; sin, ut perspicio, nihil erit, scribas id ipsum. Ego ad te, si quid audiero citius, scribam. Vale.VIIIIdus Sextil.XXVCICERO ATTICO SAL.Scr. Brundisi III Non. Quint. a. 707Facile adsentior tuis litteris, quibus exponis pluribus verbis nullum consistere consilium, quo a te possim iuvari. Consolatio certe nulla est, quae levare possit dolorem meum. Nihil est enim contractum casu (nam id esset ferendum), sed omnia fecimus eis erroribus et miseriis et animi et corporis, quibus proximi utinam mederi maluissent! Quam ob rem, quoniam neque consilii tui neque consolationis cuiusquam spes ulla mihi ostenditur, non quaeram haec a te posthac; tantum velim, ne intermittas, scribas ad me, quicquid veniet tibi in mentem, cum habebis, cui des, et dum erit, ad quem des; quod longum non erit.Illum discessisse Alexandria rumor est non firmus ortus ex Sulpici litteris; quas cuncti postea nuntii confirmarunt. Quod verum an falsum sit, quoniam mea nihil interest, utrum malim, nescio.Quod ad te iam pridem de testamento scripsi, apud εὔπιστόν τινα velim ut possit adservari.[199]Ego huius miserrumae fatuitate confectus conflictor. Nihil[199]The MSS. readapud epistolas velim ut possim adversas.I have followed Boot's emendation, though with doubt. Shuckburgh suggestsapud vestales velim depositum adservari.
[Pg 426]
habeat, scribas ad me; sin, ut perspicio, nihil erit, scribas id ipsum. Ego ad te, si quid audiero citius, scribam. Vale.
VIIIIdus Sextil.
Scr. Brundisi III Non. Quint. a. 707
Facile adsentior tuis litteris, quibus exponis pluribus verbis nullum consistere consilium, quo a te possim iuvari. Consolatio certe nulla est, quae levare possit dolorem meum. Nihil est enim contractum casu (nam id esset ferendum), sed omnia fecimus eis erroribus et miseriis et animi et corporis, quibus proximi utinam mederi maluissent! Quam ob rem, quoniam neque consilii tui neque consolationis cuiusquam spes ulla mihi ostenditur, non quaeram haec a te posthac; tantum velim, ne intermittas, scribas ad me, quicquid veniet tibi in mentem, cum habebis, cui des, et dum erit, ad quem des; quod longum non erit.
Illum discessisse Alexandria rumor est non firmus ortus ex Sulpici litteris; quas cuncti postea nuntii confirmarunt. Quod verum an falsum sit, quoniam mea nihil interest, utrum malim, nescio.
Quod ad te iam pridem de testamento scripsi, apud εὔπιστόν τινα velim ut possit adservari.[199]Ego huius miserrumae fatuitate confectus conflictor. Nihil
[199]The MSS. readapud epistolas velim ut possim adversas.I have followed Boot's emendation, though with doubt. Shuckburgh suggestsapud vestales velim depositum adservari.
[199]The MSS. readapud epistolas velim ut possim adversas.I have followed Boot's emendation, though with doubt. Shuckburgh suggestsapud vestales velim depositum adservari.
[Pg 427]a crumb of comfort: but, if, as I see is the case, there is nothing, write and tell me that. If I hear anything first I will write to you. Farewell.August 6.XXVCICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.Brundisium, July 5,B.C.47I can quite believe what you explain at some length in your letter, that no advice of yours can assist me: and certainly there is no consolation which can relieve my sorrow. For none of my misfortunes has come upon me by fate—that would have been endurable—but I have brought all on myself by my mistakes and my mental and bodily afflictions, which I only wish my nearest and dearest had thought fit to remedy. So, as there is no hope of any advice from you or any consolation, I will not ask for them henceforth: only please do not cease from writing to me anything that may occur to you, when you have anyone to send it by, and so long as there is anyone to send it to; which will not be long.There is a rumour, though not a very certain one, that Caesar has left Alexandria. It came first from a letter of Sulpicius, and has been confirmed by all subsequent messengers. Whether to prefer it to be false or true, I don't know, as it does not matter to me.As I told you already about the will I should like it to be preserved in a safe place.[200]I am worn out and harassed by the infatuation of my unhappy daughter. I don't think there ever was such a child[200]This seems to be the sense, though the reading is doubtful.
[Pg 427]
a crumb of comfort: but, if, as I see is the case, there is nothing, write and tell me that. If I hear anything first I will write to you. Farewell.
August 6.
Brundisium, July 5,B.C.47
I can quite believe what you explain at some length in your letter, that no advice of yours can assist me: and certainly there is no consolation which can relieve my sorrow. For none of my misfortunes has come upon me by fate—that would have been endurable—but I have brought all on myself by my mistakes and my mental and bodily afflictions, which I only wish my nearest and dearest had thought fit to remedy. So, as there is no hope of any advice from you or any consolation, I will not ask for them henceforth: only please do not cease from writing to me anything that may occur to you, when you have anyone to send it by, and so long as there is anyone to send it to; which will not be long.
There is a rumour, though not a very certain one, that Caesar has left Alexandria. It came first from a letter of Sulpicius, and has been confirmed by all subsequent messengers. Whether to prefer it to be false or true, I don't know, as it does not matter to me.
As I told you already about the will I should like it to be preserved in a safe place.[200]I am worn out and harassed by the infatuation of my unhappy daughter. I don't think there ever was such a child
[200]This seems to be the sense, though the reading is doubtful.
[200]This seems to be the sense, though the reading is doubtful.
[Pg 428]umquam simile natum puto. Cui si qua re consulere aliquid possum, cupio a te admoneri. Video eandem esse difficultatem quam in consilio dando ante. Tamen hoc me magis sollicitat quam omnia. In pensione secunda caeci fuimus. Aliud mallem; sed praeteriit. Te oro, ut in perditis rebus si quid cogi, confici potest, quod sit in tuto, ex argento atque satis multa ex supellectile, des operam. Iam enim mihi videtur adesse extremum nec ulla fore condicio pacis eaque, quae sunt, etiam sine adversario peritura. Haec etiam, si videbitur, cum Terentia loquere opportune. Non queo omnia scribere. Vale.IIINon. Quinctil.[Pg 429]of misfortune. If I can do anything for her in any way, I wish you would suggest it to me. I see there will be the same difficulty as there was before in giving me advice: but this causes me more anxiety than anything. It was blind of me to pay the second instalment. I wish I had not: but that is over and done with. I beg you to do your best, as it is in the last extremity, to collect and get together what you can from the sale of plate and furniture, of which there is a good deal, and put it in a safe place. For now I think the end is near, there will be no peace negotiations, and the present government will collapse even without an adversary. As to this speak to Terentia too at your convenience, if you think fit. I cannot write everything. Farewell.July 5.
[Pg 428]umquam simile natum puto. Cui si qua re consulere aliquid possum, cupio a te admoneri. Video eandem esse difficultatem quam in consilio dando ante. Tamen hoc me magis sollicitat quam omnia. In pensione secunda caeci fuimus. Aliud mallem; sed praeteriit. Te oro, ut in perditis rebus si quid cogi, confici potest, quod sit in tuto, ex argento atque satis multa ex supellectile, des operam. Iam enim mihi videtur adesse extremum nec ulla fore condicio pacis eaque, quae sunt, etiam sine adversario peritura. Haec etiam, si videbitur, cum Terentia loquere opportune. Non queo omnia scribere. Vale.IIINon. Quinctil.
[Pg 428]
umquam simile natum puto. Cui si qua re consulere aliquid possum, cupio a te admoneri. Video eandem esse difficultatem quam in consilio dando ante. Tamen hoc me magis sollicitat quam omnia. In pensione secunda caeci fuimus. Aliud mallem; sed praeteriit. Te oro, ut in perditis rebus si quid cogi, confici potest, quod sit in tuto, ex argento atque satis multa ex supellectile, des operam. Iam enim mihi videtur adesse extremum nec ulla fore condicio pacis eaque, quae sunt, etiam sine adversario peritura. Haec etiam, si videbitur, cum Terentia loquere opportune. Non queo omnia scribere. Vale.
IIINon. Quinctil.
[Pg 429]of misfortune. If I can do anything for her in any way, I wish you would suggest it to me. I see there will be the same difficulty as there was before in giving me advice: but this causes me more anxiety than anything. It was blind of me to pay the second instalment. I wish I had not: but that is over and done with. I beg you to do your best, as it is in the last extremity, to collect and get together what you can from the sale of plate and furniture, of which there is a good deal, and put it in a safe place. For now I think the end is near, there will be no peace negotiations, and the present government will collapse even without an adversary. As to this speak to Terentia too at your convenience, if you think fit. I cannot write everything. Farewell.July 5.
[Pg 429]
of misfortune. If I can do anything for her in any way, I wish you would suggest it to me. I see there will be the same difficulty as there was before in giving me advice: but this causes me more anxiety than anything. It was blind of me to pay the second instalment. I wish I had not: but that is over and done with. I beg you to do your best, as it is in the last extremity, to collect and get together what you can from the sale of plate and furniture, of which there is a good deal, and put it in a safe place. For now I think the end is near, there will be no peace negotiations, and the present government will collapse even without an adversary. As to this speak to Terentia too at your convenience, if you think fit. I cannot write everything. Farewell.
July 5.