I
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, May 23_, B.C. _45_]
You used just the right amount of severity and of moderation in your
letter to my son, and it was exactly as I should have wished it to be.
Your notes, too, to the Tullii[87] were full of good advice. So either
those letters will set things right or we shall have to try some other
means. As to the money, I see you are making every effort, or rather you
have done so already. If you manage it, I shall owe the gardens to you.
Indeed, there is no other kind of property I should prefer, especially
for the matter I have in hand. You remove my impatience by your promise,
or rather your pledge, about the summer. There is nothing either that
could be found more likely to solace my declining years and my sorrow.
My eagerness for it impels me at times to urge you to haste. But I
restrain myself, for I have no doubt that, as you know I want it very
much, your eagerness more than equals mine. So I count the matter as
already settled.
Footnote 87:
L. Tullius Montanus and M. Tullius Marcianus, who were at Athens with
Cicero's son.
I am waiting to hear what your friends decide about the letter to
Caesar. Nicias is as devoted to you, as he ought to be, and is highly
delighted at your remembering him. I am extremely fond of
* * * * *
Page 110
vehementer diligo; nam et, quanti patrem feci, totum in hunc et ipsum
per se aeque amo atque illum amavi, te vero plurimum, qui hoc ab utroque
nostrum fieri velis. Si hortos inspexeris, et si de epistula certiorem
me feceris, dederis mihi, quod ad te scribam; si minus, scribam tamen
aliquid. Numquam enim derit.
II
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano IX K. Iun. a. 709_]
Gratior mihi celeritas tua quam ipsa res. Quid enim indignius? Sed iam
ad ista obduruimus et humanitatem omnem exuimus. Tuas litteras hodie
exspectabam, nihil equidem ut ex iis novi; quid enim? verum tamen ——.
IIa
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano VI K. Iun. a. 709_]
Oppio et Balbo epistulas deferri iubebis et tamen Pisonem sicubi de
auro. Faberius si venerit, videbis, ut tantum attribuatur, si modo
attribuetur, quantum debetur. Accipies ab Erote.
Ariarathes, Ariobarzani filius, Romam venit. Vult, opinor, regnum
aliquod emere a Caesare; nam, quo modo nunc est, pedem ubi ponat in suo,
non habet. Omnino eum Sestius noster, parochus publicus, occupavit; quod
quidem facile patior. Verum tamen,
* * * * *
Page 111
Peducaeus; for all I felt for his father I have given to him, and I love
him for himself as much as I loved his father; and you most of all for
trying to promote this feeling between us. If you see the gardens, and
if you let me know about the letter, you will supply me with something
to write about; but, anyhow, I will write something. For there will
always be something to say.
II
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, May 24_, B.C. _45_]
Your promptitude was more pleasing to me than the news you sent. For
what could be more insulting? However I have hardened myself to insult,
and put off all human feeling. I am looking forward to your letter
to-day, not that I expect any news. What could there be? However ——.
IIa
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, May 27_, B.C. _45_]
Please have the letters sent to Balbus and Oppius, and anyhow speak to
Piso about the gold when you can. If Faberius comes, see that the right
amount of the debt is put to my credit, if anything is. Eros will tell
you about it.
Ariarathes, son of Ariobarzanes, has come to Rome, I suppose he wants to
buy some kingdom from Caesar: for, as things are at present, he cannot
set foot in his own. Our friend Sestius, in his character of public
host, has monopolized him; and I am not sorry for it. However, as I am
intimate with
* * * * *
Page 112
quod mihi summo beneficio meo magna cum fratribus illius necessitudo
est, invito eum per litteras, ut apud me deversetur. Ad eam rem cum
mitterem Alexandrum, has ei dedi litteras.
IIb
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano IV K. Iun. a. 709_]
Cras igitur auctio Peducaei. Cum poteris ergo. Etsi impediet fortasse
Faberius. Sed tamen cum licebit. Dionysius noster graviter queritur et
tamen iure a discipulis abesse se tam diu. Multis verbis scripsit ad me,
credo item ad te. Mihi quidem videtur etiam diutius afuturus. Ac nollem;
valde enim hominem desidero.
A te litteras exspectabam, nondum scilicet; nam has mane rescribebam.
III
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano III K. Iun. a. 709_]
Ego vero ista nomina sic probo, ut nihil aliud me moveat, nisi quod tu
videris dubitare. Illud enim non accipio in bonam partem, quod ad me
refers; qui, si[88] ipse negotium meum gererem, nihil gererem[89] nisi
consilio tuo. Sed tamen intellego magis te id facere diligentia, qua
semper uteris, quam quod dubites de nominibus istis. Etenim Caelium non
probas,
Footnote 88:
qui si» quid Δ.
Footnote 89:
nihil gererem _omitted by_ Δ.
* * * * *
Page 113
his brothers on account of the great service I rendered them, I am
sending a letter to invite him to stay at my house. As I was sending
Alexander with it, I gave him this letter.
IIb
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, May 29_, B.C. _45_]
So to-morrow is Peducaeus' auction. Come[90] when you can, then. But
perhaps Faberius will prevent you. However, when you can manage it. Our
friend Dionysius is complaining loudly at being so long away from his
pupils, and there is some justice in his complaint. He has written a
long letter to me, and I expect to you too. I think he will be away for
some time still: and I am sorry, for I miss him very much.
Footnote 90:
Or, as Shuckburgh, "buy."
I am expecting a letter from you, but not yet, as I am writing in the
early morning.
III
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, May 30_, B.C. _45_]
For my part I am so satisfied with the debtors you mention, that the
only thing which disquiets me is that you seem to have doubts. For I
don't take it at all kindly of you to refer the matter to me. If I
managed my own business, I should never manage anything without your
advice. However, I know you did it more from your usual carefulness than
because you had any doubts about the debtors. The fact is you don't
approve of Caelius and you don't
* * * * *
Page 114
plura non vis. Utrumque laudo. His igitur utendum est. Praes[91]
aliquando factus esses[92] in his quidem tabulis. A me igitur omnia.
Quod dies longior est, teneamus modo, quod volumus, puto fore istam
etiam a praecone diem, certe ab heredibus.
Footnote 91:
est. Praes _C_: espraes _M_.
Footnote 92:
esses _Bosius_: esset _M_: es et _CZ_^l.
De Crispo et Mustela videbis, et velim scire, quae sit pars duorum. De
Bruti adventu eram factus certior. Attulerat enim ab eo Aegypta libertus
litteras. Misi ad te epistulam, quia commode scripta erat.
IV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano K. Iun. a. 709_]
Habeo munus a te elaboratum decem legatorum. Et quidem de Tuditano
idem[93] puto. Nam filius anno post quaestor fuit quam consul Mummius.
Sed, quoniam saepius de nominibus quaeris quid placeat, ego quoque tibi
saepius respondeo placere. Si quid poteris, cum Pisone conficies; Avius
enim videtur in officio futurus. Velim ante possis; si minus, utique
simul simus, cum Brutus veniet in Tusculanum. Magni interest mea una nos
esse. Scies autem, qui dies is futurus sit, si puero negotium dederis,
ut quaerat.
Footnote 93:
de Tuditano idem _added by Lehmann_.
* * * * *
Page 115
like to increase their number.[94] I agree with you in both points. So
we must make the best of them as they are. Sometime you would have had
to go bail for me even in this sale.[95] So now I shall pay in full
myself. As to the delay in collecting the money, if only I get what I
want, I think I can arrange for delay with the auctioneer or at any rate
with the heirs.
Footnote 94:
Apparently Faberius had offered to make over a number of debts due to
him in payment of his debt to Cicero, with an alternative of a large
debt from Caelius or smaller ones from several other debtors.
Footnote 95:
_i.e._ even in the purchase of the gardens for Tullia's shrine, of
which Atticus disapproved. But the reading may be corrupt.
See about Crispus and Mustela, and I should like to know what the share
of the two is. I had heard already of Brutus' arrival, for my freedman
Aegypta had brought me a letter from him. I have sent it to you, as it
is obligingly written.
IV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, June 1_, B.C. _45_]
I have received your piece of work about the ten ambassadors: and I
agree with you about Tuditanus. For the son was quaestor in the year
after Mummius was consul.[96] But, as you keep on asking if I am
satisfied about the debtors, I too keep on answering that I am. Arrange
something with Piso if you can: for I think Avius will do his duty. I
wish you could come first; but, if you can't, at any rate be with me,
when Brutus comes here. It is of great importance to me that we should
be together. You will be able to ascertain the day, if you commission a
servant to find out.
Footnote 96:
145 B.C.
* * * * *
Page 116
V
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano IV Non. Iun. a. 709_]
Sp. Mummium putaram in decem legatis fuisse, sed videlicet (etenim
εὔλογον) fratri fuisse. Fuit enim ad Corinthum. Misi tibi Torquatum.
Colloquere tu quidem cum Silio, ut scribis, et urgue. Illam diem negabat
esse mense Maio, istam non negabat. Sed tu ut omnia istuc quoque ages
diligenter. De Crispo et Mustela scilicet, cum quid egeris. Quoniam ad
Bruti adventum fore te nobiscum polliceris, satis est, praesertim cum hi
tibi dies in magno nostro negotio consumantur.
VI
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Asturae med. m. Mart., ut videtur, a. 709_]
De aquae ductu probe fecisti. Columnarium vide ne nullum debeamus;
quamquam mihi videor audisse a Camillo commutatam esse legem. Pisoni
quid est quod honestius respondere possimus quam solitudinem Catonis?
Nec de[97] coheredibus solum Herennianis, sed etiam, ut scis (tu enim
mecum egisti), de puero Lucullo, quam pecuniam tutor (nam hoc quoque ad
rem pertinet) in Achaia sumpserat. Sed agit liberaliter, quoniam negat
se quicquam facturum contra nostram
Footnote 97:
de _added by Wesenberg_.
* * * * *
Page 117
V
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, June 2_, B.C. _45_]
I had thought Sp. Mummius was one of the ten legates: but of course, as
was natural, he was private legate to his brother. For he was at
Corinth.[98] I have sent _Torquatus_[99] to you. Speak with Silius as
you say and urge him on. He said my receiving day would not fall in May,
but he did not say the same about the other.[100] But please attend to
the point carefully, as you always do. As to Crispus and Mustela, yes,
when you have settled anything. As you promise to be with me when Brutus
comes, I am satisfied, especially as you are spending these days on
important business of mine.
Footnote 98:
At its capture in 146 B.C.
Footnote 99:
_i.e._ the first book of the _De Finibus_. Cf. XIII. 32.
Footnote 100:
_i.e._ that Cicero could not get in Faberius' debt before the end of
May; but that the owners of the property he thought of buying would
want payment before that date. Cf. XIII. 3.
VI
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Astura, March_, B.C. _45_]
You have done quite right about the aqueduct. Make sure whether I owe
any pillar-tax at all. However, I think I heard from Camillus that the
law had been changed. What better answer can we give Piso than that
Cato's guardians are away? It was not only from the heirs of Herennius
that he borrowed, but, as you know (for you were acting with me), from
young Lucullus: and that money was taken in Achaia by his guardian. That
is another point that has to be considered. But Piso is behaving
generously, as he says he will not do anything
* * * * *
Page 118
voluntatem. Coram igitur, ut scribis, constituemus, quem ad modum rem
explicemus. Quod reliquos coheredes convenisti, plane bene.
Quod epistulam meam ad Brutum poscis, non habeo eius exemplum; sed tamen
salvum est, et ait Tiro te habere oportere, et, ut recordor, una cum
illius obiurgatoria tibi meam quoque, quam ad eum rescripseram, misi.
Iudiciali molestia ut caream, videbis.
VIa
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano prid. Non. Iun. a. 709_]
Tuditanum istum, proavum Hortensi, plane non noram, et filium, qui tum
non potuerat esse legatus, fuisse putaram. Mummium fuisse ad Corinthum
pro certo habeo. Saepe enim hic Spurius, qui nuper decessit,[101]
epistulas mihi pronuntiabat versiculis facetis ad familiaris missas a
Corintho. Sed non dubito, quin fratri fuerit legatus, non in decem.
Atque hoc etiam accepi, non solitos maiores nostros eos legare in decem,
qui essent imperatorum necessarii, ut nos ignari pulcherrimorum
institutorum aut neglegentes potius M. Lucullum et L. Murenam et ceteros
ad L. Lucullum misimus. Illudque εὐλογώτατον, illum fratri in primis
eius legatis fuisse. O operam tuam multam, qui et haec cures et mea
expedias et sis in tuis non multo minus diligens quam in meis!
Footnote 101:
decessit _Müller_: est _MSS._
* * * * *
Page 119
against our will. So, as you say, we will arrange, when we meet, how the
matter is to be straightened out. It is quite as well that you have seen
the other joint heirs.
You ask for my letter to Brutus. I have not a copy: but there is one in
existence and Tiro says you ought to have it: and, so far as I
recollect, I sent you my answer along with his letter of reproof. Please
see that I am not troubled with serving on a jury.
VIa
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, June 4_, B.C. _45_]
The Tuditanus you mention, great-grandfather of Hortensius, I had never
heard of, and I thought it was the son who was the ambassador, though he
could not have been at the time. I take it as certain that Mummius was
at Corinth. For Spurius, who died lately, often used to recite to me
letters Mummius wrote to his friends from Corinth in clever verse. But I
have no doubt he was a special legate to his brother, not among the ten
ambassadors. Here is another point too that I have been taught, that it
was not the custom of our ancestors to appoint among the ten ambassadors
anyone who was related to the generals, as we in ignorance of, or rather
in contempt for, the soundest institutions did in sending M. Lucullus
and L. Murena and others to L. Lucullus. But it was most natural that he
should be among the first of his brother's legates. What a lot of work
you get through, attending to points like this, managing my affairs and
bestowing nearly as much care on your own affairs as on mine!
* * * * *
Page 120
VII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano V Id. Iun. a. 709_]
Sestius apud me fuit et Theopompus pridie. Venisse a Caesare narrabat
litteras; hoc scribere, sibi certum esse Romae manere, causamque eam
ascribere, quae erat in epistula nostra, ne se absente leges suae
neglegerentur, sicut esset neglecta sumptuaria (est εὔλογον, idque eram
suspicatus. Sed istis mos gerendus est, nisi placet hanc ipsam
sententiam nos persequi), et Lentulum cum Metella certe fecisse
divortium. Haec omnia tu melius. Rescribes igitur, quicquid voles, dum
modo aliquid. Iam enim non reperio, quid te rescripturum putem, nisi
forte de Mustela, aut si Silium videris.
VIIa
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano IV Id. Iun. a. 709_]
Brutus heri venit in Tusculanum post horam decimam. Hodie igitur me
videbit, ac vellem tum tu adesses. Iussi equidem ei nuntiari te, quoad
potuisses, exspectasse eius adventum venturumque, si audisses, meque, ut
facio, continuo te certiorem esse facturum.
VIII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano VI Id. Iun. a. 709_]
Plane nihil erat, quod ad te scriberem; modo enim discesseras et paulo
post triplicis remiseras. Velim cures fasciculum ad Vestorium deferendum
et alicui
* * * * *
Page 121
VII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, June 9_, B.C. _45_]
Sestius came to see me yesterday and Theopompus too. He told me that
Caesar had sent a letter saying he had resolved to stay at Rome and
assigning as a reason the one mentioned in my letter, fear that if he
went away his laws would be disregarded, as his sumptuary law was. That
is reasonable enough and is just what I suspected. But I must humour
your friends, unless you think I could use that very line of argument.
He tells me too that Lentulus has certainly divorced Metella. But you
will know all this better than he does. So please send an
answer,—anything you like provided it is something. For at the moment I
cannot think of anything you will put in your answer, unless it is
something about Mustela, or unless you see Silius.
VIIa
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, June 10_, B.C. _45_]
Brutus came to Tusculum yesterday after four o'clock. So to-day he will
see me, and I wish you were with me. I sent him word that you had waited
for him as long as you could, and that you would come, if you heard; and
I would let you know, as soon as I could, which I am doing.
VIII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, June 8_, B.C. _45_]
I have nothing to write; for you have only just left, and soon after you
went, you sent me back my notebook. Please see that the packet is
delivered to Vestorius, and commission someone to find out if
* * * * *
Page 122
des negotium, qui quaerat, Q. Staberi fundus num quis in Pompeiano
Nolanove venalis sit. Epitomen Bruti Caelianorum velim mihi mittas et a
Philoxeno Παναιτίου περὶ προνοίας. Te Idibus videbo cum tuis.
IX
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano XIV K. Quint. a. 709_]
Commodum discesseras heri, cum Trebatius venit, paulo post Curtius, hic
salutandi causa, sed mansit invitatus. Trebatium nobiscum habemus. Hodie
mane Dolabella. Multus sermo ad multum diem. Nihil possum dicere
ἐκτενέστερον, nihil φιλοστοργότερον. Ventum est tamen ad Quintum. Multa
ἄφατα, ἀδιήγητα, sed unum eius modi, quod nisi exercitus sciret, non
modo Tironi dictare, sed ne ipse quidem auderem scribere. Sed hactenus.
Εὐκαίρως ad me venit, cum haberem Dolabellam, Torquatus, humanissimeque
Dolabella, quibus verbis secum egissem, exposuit. Commodum enim egeram
diligentissime; quae diligentia grata est visa Torquato. A te exspecto,
si quid de Bruto. Quamquam Nicias confectum putabat, sed divortium non
probari. Quo etiam magis laboro idem quod tu. Si quid est enim
offensionis, haec res mederi potest.
Mihi Arpinum eundum est. Nam et opus est constitui a nobis illa
praediola, et vereor, ne exeundi
* * * * *
Page 123
any part of Q. Staberius' land at Pompeii or Nola is for sale. Please
send me Brutus' _Epitome of the Annals of Caelius_, and get from
Philoxenus Panaetius _On Foresight_. I shall see you and your family on
the 13th.
IX
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, June 18_, B.C. _45_]
You had only just left yesterday, when Trebatius came, and then Curtius
shortly afterwards. The latter only came to pay a call, but he stayed at
my invitation. Trebatius is with me too, and this morning came
Dolabella. We had a long talk till late in the day. I cannot exaggerate
his cordiality and friendliness. However, we touched on young Quintus.
Much of what he told me was unmentionable, unspeakable; but there was
one thing so bad that, if the whole army did not know of it, I should
not dare to dictate it to Tiro or even to write it down myself. But
enough of this.
Torquatus came to me opportunely, while Dolabella was with me, and
Dolabella very kindly repeated to him what I had just been saying. For I
had just been pleading his cause very earnestly; and my earnestness
seemed to please Torquatus greatly. I am waiting to know if you have any
news about Brutus. However, Nicias thought that the matter was settled,
but that the divorce was not approved. For that reason I am all the more
eager about the thing, as you are too. For, if any offence has been
given, this can remedy it.
I must go to Arpinum. For my little place there needs putting in order
and I am afraid I may not
* * * * *
Page 124
potestas non sit, cum Caesar venerit; de cuius adventu eam opinionem
Dolabella habet, quam tu coniecturam faciebas ex litteris Messallae. Cum
illuc venero intellexeroque, quid negotii sit, tum, ad quos dies
rediturus sim, scribam ad te.
X
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano inter a. d. XIII et XI K. Quint. a. 709_]
Minime miror te et graviter ferre de Marcello et plura vereri periculi
genera. Quis enim hoc timeret, quod neque acciderat antea nec videbatur
natura ferre ut accidere posset? Omnia igitur metuenda. Sed illud παρὰ
τὴν ἱστορίαν, tu praesertim, me reliquum consularem. Quid? tibi Servius
quid videtur? Quamquam hoc nullam ad partem valet scilicet, mihi
praesertim, qui non minus bene actum cum illis putem. Quid enim sumus
aut quid esse possumus? domin an foris? Quodnisi mihi hoc venisset in
mentem, scribere ista nescio quae, quo verterem me, non haberem.
Ad Dolabellam, ut scribis, ita puto faciendum, κοινότερα quaedam et
πολιτικώτερα. Faciendum certe aliquid est; valde enim desiderat. Brutus
si quid egerit, curabis, ut sciam; cui quidem quam primum agendum puto,
praesertim si statuit. Sermunculum
* * * * *
Page 125
have much chance of leaving Rome, when Caesar comes. About his coming
Dolabella holds the same idea which you had inferred from Messalla's
letter. When I get there and know how much there is to be done, then I
will write and let you know, when I shall return.
X
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, June 19-21_, B.C. _45_]
I am not at all surprised at your being upset about Marcellus[102] and
fearing all sorts of new dangers. For who would have feared this? Such a
thing never happened before and it did not seem as though nature could
allow such things to happen. So one may fear anything. But fancy you of
all people making such a historical slip as to call me the only
surviving ex-consul. Why, what about Servius? However, that of course
has not the slightest importance in any respect, least of all to me, who
think my dead comrades' fate quite as happy as my own. For what am I or
what can I be? Am I anything in private life or in public? If it had not
occurred to me to write my books, such as they are, I should not know
what to do with myself.
Footnote 102:
M. Marcellus had been murdered by P. Magius Chilo.
I think I must follow your advice and dedicate something more general
and more political to Dolabella. I must certainly do something for him,
as he is very anxious for it. If Brutus makes any move, pray let me
know. I think he ought to make one as soon as possible, especially if he
has made up his mind.[103] That would either put an end to all chatter
Footnote 103:
About his marriage to Porcia.
* * * * *
Page 126
enim omnem aut restinxerit aut sedarit. Sunt enim, qui loquantur etiam
mecum. Sed haec ipse optime, praesertim si etiam tecum loquetur.
Mihi est in animo proficisci XI Kal. Hic enim nihil habeo, quod agam, ne
hercule illic quidem nec usquam, sed tamen aliquid illic. Hodie
Spintherem exspecto. Misit enim Brutus ad me. Per litteras purgat
Caesarem de interitu Marcelli; in quem, ne si insidiis quidem ille
interfectus esset, caderet ulla suspicio. Nunc vero, cum de Magio
constet, nonne furor eius causam omnem sustinet? Plane, quid sit, non
intellego. Explanabis igitur. Quamquam nihil habeo, quod dubitem, nisi,
ipsi Magio quae fuerit causa amentiae; pro quo quidem etiam sponsor sum
factus. Et nimirum id fuit. Solvendo enim non erat. Credo eum petisse a
Marcello aliquid, et illum, ut erat, constantius respondisse.
XI
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati IX K. Quint. a. 709_]
"Οὐ ταὐτὸν εἶδος." Credebam esse facile; totum est aliud, posteaquam sum
a te diiunctior. Sed fuit faciendum, ut et constituerem mercedulas
praediorum et ne magnum onus observantiae Bruto nostro imponerem.
Posthac enim poterimus commodius colere inter nos in Tusculano. Hoc
autem tempore, cum
* * * * *
Page 127
or at any rate lessen it. For there are people who talk even to me. But
he is the best judge himself, especially if he talks it over with you
too.
I am thinking of setting out on the 21st, for I have nothing to do here,
and precious little to do there or anywhere else; still there is
something to do there. To-day I am expecting Spinther, for Brutus has
sent him to me. He writes to exculpate Caesar of Marcellus' death. But
no suspicion would have fallen on Caesar, even if his death had been due
to treachery; and now that Magius is known to be mad, surely that
accounts for everything. I don't see his point at all. Perhaps you will
explain. However, there is nothing I am in doubt about except the reason
for Magius' madness; why, I had even gone security for him. That no
doubt was the point; he was insolvent. I suppose he asked some favour of
Marcellus, and the latter, as was his way, gave a rather decided answer.
XI
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum, June 23_, B.C. _45_]
"Not the same look."[104] I thought it was easy; but it is quite the
reverse, now I am farther away from you. But it had to be done, that I
might fix some trifles like the rents of my farms and might not lay too
great a burden of attendance on our friend Brutus. For in the future we
shall find ourselves able to cultivate each other's society at Tusculum
more easily. But at the present time, when he wanted
Footnote 104:
A quotation from Euripides, _Ion_, 585:—
οὐ ταὐτόν εἶδος φαίνεται τῶν πραγμάτων
πρόσωθεν ὄντων ἔγγυθέν θ' ὁρωμένων.
"Not the same look wear things, when seen far off and near at hand."
* * * * *
Page 128
ille me cotidie videre vellet, ego ad illum ire non possem, privabatur
omni delectatione Tusculani. Tu igitur, si Servilia venerit, si Brutus
quid egerit, etiam si constituerit, quando obviam, quicquid denique
erit, quod scire me oporteat, scribes. Pisonem, si poteris convenies.
Vides, quam maturum sit. Sed tamen, quod commodo tuo fiat.
XII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati VIII K. Quint. a. 709_]
Valde me momorderunt epistulae tuae de Attica nostra; eaedem tamen
sanaverunt. Quod enim te ipse consolabare eisdem litteris, id mihi erat
satis firmum ad leniendam aegritudinem.
Ligarianam praeclare vendidisti. Posthac, quicquid scripsero, tibi
praeconium deferam. Quod ad me de Varrone scribis, scis me antea
orationes aut aliquid id genus solitum scribere, ut Varronem nusquam
possem intexere. Postea autem quam haec coepi φιλολογώτερα, iam Varro
mihi denuntiaverat magnam sane et gravem προσφώνησιν. Biennium
praeteriit, cum ille Καλλιππίδης adsiduo cursu cubitum nullum
processerat, ego autem me parabam ad id, quod ille mihi misisset, ut
"αὐτῷ τῷ μέτρῳ καὶ λώϊον," si modo potuissem. Nam hoc etiam Hesiodus
ascribit, "αἴ κε δύνηαι."
Nunc illam περὶ τελῶν σύνταξιν sane mihi probatam
* * * * *
Page 129
to see me every day and I could not go to him, he got no pleasure at all
out of his estate. So, if Servilia has come, if Brutus has begun to do
anything, even if he has made up his mind when I am to meet Caesar, in
short anything there is to tell, please write and tell me. See
Piso,[105] if you can. It is high time, as you can see; however, suit
your convenience.
Footnote 105:
One of the bankers from whom Cicero hoped to raise money to buy the
gardens for Tullia's shrine.
XII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum, June 24_, B.C. _45_]
Your letter about dear Attica stung me to the quick; but it healed the
wound again. For you consoled yourself in the same letter, and that I
counted sufficient warrant for moderating my grief.
You have given my speech for Ligarius a magnificent start. Henceforth,
when I write anything, I shall leave it to you to advertise it. As to
what you say about Varro, you know formerly I have written speeches or
things of such a kind, that I could not introduce him; but afterwards,
when I began these more literary works, Varro had already promised to
dedicate a great and important work to me. Two years have passed and
that slow coach,[106] though always on the move, has not advanced an
inch, while I was prepared to pay him back "full measure and more" for
what he sent, if I could. For Hesiod adds "if you can."[107]
Footnote 106:
It is uncertain whether the actor mentioned in Aristotle's _Poetics_,
ch. 26, is referred to or someone else. Anyhow, the name seems to be
used proverbially as = "a slow coach."
Footnote 107:
Hesiod, _Op._ 350.
Now I have pledged my _De Finibus_, of which I
* * * * *
Page 130
Bruto, ut tibi placuit, despondimus, idque eum non nolle mihi
scripsisti. Ergo illam Ἀκαδημικήν, in qua homines nobiles illi quidem,
sed nullo modo philologi nimis acute loquuntur, ad Varronem
transferamus. Etenim sunt Antiochia, quae iste valde probat. Catulo et
Lucullo alibi reponemus, ita tamen, si tu hoc probas; deque eo mihi
rescribas velim.
De Brinniana auctione accepi a Vestorio litteras. Ait sine ulla
controversia rem ad me esse conlatam. Romae videlicet aut in Tusculano
me fore putaverunt a. d. VIII Kal. Quinct. Dices igitur vel amico tuo,
S. Vettio, coheredi meo, vel Labeoni nostro, paulum proferant auctionem;
me circiter Nonas in Tusculano fore. Cum Pisone Erotem habes. De
Scapulanis hortis toto pectore cogitemus. Dies adest.
XIII, XIV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati VI K. Quint. a. 709_]
Commotus tuis litteris, quod ad me de Varrone scripseras, totam
Academiam ab hominibus nobilissimis abstuli, transtuli ad nostrum
sodalem et ex duobus libris contuli in quattuor. Grandiores sunt omnino,
quam erant illi, sed tamen multa detracta. Tu autem mihi pervelim
scribas, qui intellexeris illum velle; illud vero utique scire cupio,
quem intellexeris
* * * * *
Page 131
think very highly, to Brutus as you advised, and you have told me he was
gratified. So I must assign the _Academica_ to Varro. The speakers in it
are men of birth to be sure, but not scholars, and talk above their own
heads. And indeed the doctrines are those of Antiochus,[108] of which
Varro is a strong supporter. I will make it up to Catulus and Lucullus
somewhere else[109]; that is to say, if you agree. Please write and tell
me.
Footnote 108:
Antiochus of Ascalon, under whom both Cicero and Varro had studied at
Athens. His teaching combined the views of the Academy and Stoicism.
Footnote 109:
They were the chief speakers in the first draft of the _Academica_.
I have had a letter from Vestorius about the auction of Brinnius'
estate. He tells me I was unanimously given the direction of it. They
evidently thought I should be in town or at Tusculum on the 24th. So
please tell your friend S. Vettius, my co-heir, or Labienus, to put the
sale off for a while; and that I shall be at Tusculum about July 7th.
You have Eros to help with Piso. Let us throw ourselves heart and soul
into the purchase of Scapula's gardens. The time is drawing near.
XIII, XIV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum, June 26_, B.C. _45_]
Under the influence of your letters about Varro I have taken the whole
of my _Academica_ from its eminent interlocutors and transferred it to
our friend: and from two books I have turned it into four. They are
certainly finer than the first draft though a good deal has been cut
out. But I should very much like you to tell me how you knew Varro
wanted it: and one thing at any rate I want to know, who
* * * * *
Page 132
ab eo ζηλοτυπεῖσθαι nisi forte Brutum. Id hercle restabat. Sed tamen
scire pervelim. Libri quidem ita exierunt, nisi forte me communis
φιλαυτία decipit, ut in tali genere ne apud Graecos quidem simile
quicquam. Tu illam iacturam feres aequo animo, quod illa, quae habes de
Academicis, frustra descripta sunt. Multo tamen haec erunt splendidiora,
breviora, meliora. Nunc autem ἀπορῶ, quo me vertam. Volo Dolabellae
valde desideranti; non reperio, quid, et simul [Sidenote: _Iliad_, vi.
442; xxii. 100] "αἰδέομαι Τρῶας" neque, si aliquid, potero μέμψιν
effugere. Aut cessandum igitur aut aliquid excogitandum. Sed quid haec
levia curamus?
Attica mea, obsecro te, quid agit? Quae me valde angit. Sed crebro
regusto tuas litteras; in his acquiesco. Tamen exspecto novas.
Brinni libertus, coheres noster, scripsit ad me velle, si mihi placeret,
coheredes, se et Sabinum Albium, ad me venire. Id ego plane nolo.
Hereditas tanti non est. Et tamen obire auctionis diem facile poterunt
(est enim III Idus), si me in Tusculano postridie Nonas mane
convenerint. Quodsi laxius volent proferre diem, poterunt vel biduum vel
triduum, vel ut videbitur; nihil enim interest. Quare, nisi iam profecti
sunt, retinebis homines. De Bruto, si quid egerit, de Caesare, si quid
scies, si quid erit praeterea, scribes.
* * * * *
Page 133
was it of whom you noticed he was jealous: unless perhaps it was Brutus.
Upon my word that is the only possible answer:[110] but still I should
much like to know. Unless I am deceived like most people by egotism, the
books have turned out superior to anything of the kind even in Greek.
You must not be annoyed at the loss you have incurred in having the part
of the _Academica_ you have copied in vain. The new draft will be far
finer, shorter, and better. But now I don't know where to turn. I want
to do something for Dolabella, as he is very anxious for it. But I can't
think of anything, and at the same time "I fear the Trojans,"[111] and
even if I can think of something, I shall not escape criticism. So I
must either be idle or rack my brains for something. But why do I bother
about trifles like this?
Footnote 110:
Or "that is the last straw," or "the height of absurdity."
Footnote 111:
_i.e._, public opinion. Cf. _Att._ II. 5.
Pray tell me how dear Attica is. I am very anxious about her. But I keep
dipping into your letter again and again, and that solaces me.
Nevertheless I am looking forward to a fresh one.
Brinnius' freedman, my co-heir, has written to me that the rest of the
heirs want him and Sabinus Albius to come to me, if I am willing. I am
all against that: it is more than the legacy is worth. However, they can
easily manage to attend the auction, which is on the 13th, if they meet
me at my place at Tusculum early on the 8th. But, if they want to put
off the date still further, they can do so two or three days or as much
as they like: it does not matter to me. So, unless the people have
started already, stop them. If Brutus has done anything, or if you have
any news about Caesar or anything else, let me know.
* * * * *
Page 134
XIV, XV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati V K. Quint, a. 709_]
Illud etiam atque etiam consideres velim, placeatne tibi mitti ad
Varronem, quod scripsimus. Etsi etiam ad te aliquid pertinet. Nam scito
te ei dialogo adiunctum esse tertium. Opinor igitur, consideremus. Etsi
nomina iam facta sunt; sed vel induci vel mutari possunt.
Quid agit, obsecro te, Attica nostra? Nam triduo abs te nullas
acceperam; nec mirum. Nemo enim venerat, nec fortasse causa fuerat.
Itaque ipse, quod scriberem, non habebam. Quo autem die has Valerio
dabam, exspectabam aliquem meorum. Qui si venisset et a te quid
attulisset, videbam non defuturum, quod scriberem.
XVI
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati IV K. Quint, a. 709_]
Nos, cum flumina et solitudinem sequeremur, quo facilius sustentare nos
possemus, pedem e villa adhuc egressi non sumus; ita magnos et adsiduos
imbres habebamus. Illam Ἀκαδημικὴν σύνταξιν totam ad Varronem
traduximus. Primo fuit Catuli, Luculli, Hortensi; deinde, quia παρὰ τὸ
πρέπον videbatur, quod erat hominibus nota non illa quidem ἀπαιδευσία,
sed in iis rebus ἀτριψία, simul ac veni ad villam, eosdem illos sermones
ad Catonem Brutumque transtuli. Ecce tuae litterae de Varrone. Nemini
visa
* * * * *
Page 135
XIV, XV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum, June 27_, B.C. _45_]
Please give your earnest consideration to deciding whether what I have
written ought to be sent to Varro: though the point has some personal
interest for you too: for you must know I have brought you in as a third
speaker in the dialogue. So I think we must consider. The names,
however, have been entered, but they can be scratched out or altered.
Pray tell me how Attica is. It is three days since I heard from you, and
no wonder: for no one has come here, and perhaps there was no reason for
writing. So I myself have nothing to write. However, I am expecting one
of my messengers the very day I am giving this to Valerius. If he comes
and brings something from you, I foresee I shall have no lack of
material.
XVI
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum, June 28_, B.C. _45_]
Though I was looking for streams and solitude, to make life more
endurable, at present I have not stirred a foot away from the house; we
have had such heavy and continuous rain. The "Academic Treatise" I have
transferred entirely to Varro. At first it was assigned to Catulus,
Lucullus, and Hortensius; then, as that seemed inappropriate because
they were well-known not to be up in such matters, though not
illiterate, as soon as I came here I transferred the conversations to
Cato and Brutus. Then came your letter about Varro and he seemed the
most appropriate person possible to air Antiochus'
* * * * *
Page 136
est aptior Antiochia ratio. Sed tamen velim scribas ad me, primum
placeatne tibi aliquid ad illum, deinde, si placebit, hocne potissimum.
Quid? Servilia iamne venit? Brutus ecquid agit et quando? De Caesare
quid auditur? Ego ad Nonas, quem ad modum dixi. Tu cum Pisone, si quid
poteris.
XVII, XVIII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati III K. Quint. a. 709_]
V Kal. exspectabam Roma aliquid novi. Imperassem igitur aliquid tuis.
Nunc eadem illa, quid Brutus cogitet, aut, si aliquid egit, ecquid a
Caesare. Sed quid ista, quae minus curo? Attica nostra quid agat, scire
cupio. Etsi tuae litterae (sed iam nimis veteres sunt) recte sperare
iubent, tamen exspecto recens aliquid.
Vides, propinquitas quid habeat. Nos vero conficiamus hortos. Conloqui
videbamur, in Tusculano cum essem; tanta erat crebritas litterarum. Sed
id quidem iam erit. Ego interea admonitu tuo perfeci sane argutulos
libros ad Varronem, sed tamen exspecto, quid ad ea, quae scripsi ad te,
primum qui intellexeris eum desiderare a me, cum ipse homo
πολυγραφώτατος numquam me lacessisset; deinde quem ζηλοτυπεῖν nisi forte
Brutum, quem si non ζηλοτυπεῖ,[112] multo Hortensium minus aut eos, qui
de re
Footnote 112:
nisi ... ζηλοτυπεῖ _added by Bosius_.
* * * * *
Page 137
views. However, I should like you to write whether you approve of
dedicating anything to him, and, if you do, whether you approve of this
particular book.
What about Servilia? Has she come? Has Brutus done anything, and when?
What news of Caesar? I shall arrive on the 7th of July, as I said. Make
some arrangement with Piso, if you can.
XVII, XVIII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum, June 29_, B.C. _45_]
I was expecting some news from Rome on the 27th. Then I should have
given some orders to your men. Now I have only the same old questions.
What is Brutus thinking of doing, or, if he has done anything, has any
comment come from Caesar? But why do I ask about these things, when I
care very little about them? I do want to know how our dear Attica is
getting on. Though your letter (but that is quite out of date now) bids
me be hopeful, still I am anxious for fresh news.
You see the advantage of being near at hand. Certainly let us settle
about the gardens. We seemed to be talking to one another, when I was at
Tusculum, so frequent was the interchange of letters. But that will be
the same again soon. Meantime I have taken your hint and finished off
some really quite clever books for Varro. But I am waiting for your
answer to my questions: first, how you knew he wanted anything from me,
when in spite of his voluminous writings he has never challenged me; and
next, who it was of whom he was jealous, unless it may have been Brutus.
If he is not jealous of him, he certainly cannot be of Hortensius or the
speakers in the _De Republica._
* * * * *
Page 138
publica loquuntur. Plane hoc mihi explices velim, in primis maneasne in
sententia, ut mittam ad eum, quae scripsi, an nihil necesse putes. Sed
haec coram.
XIX
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati prid. K. Quint. a. 709_]
Commodum discesserat Hilarus librarius IV Kal., cui dederam litteras ad
te, cum venit tabellarius cum tuis litteris pridie datis; in quibus
illud mihi gratissimum fuit, quod Attica nostra rogat te, ne tristis
sis, quodque tu ἀκίνδυνα esse scribis.
Ligarianam, ut video, praeclare auctoritas tua commendavit. Scripsit
enim ad me Balbus et[113] Oppius mirifice se probare, ob eamque causam
ad Caesarem eam se oratiunculam misisse. Hoc igitur idem tu mihi antea
scripseras.
Footnote 113:
et _added by Vict._
In Varrone ista causa me non moveret, ne viderer φιλένδοξος (sic enim
constitueram, neminem includere in dialogos eorum, qui viverent); sed,
quia scribis et desiderari a Varrone et magni illum aestimare, eos
confeci et absolvi, nescio quam bene, sed ita accurate, ut nihil posset
supra, Academicam omnem quaestionem libris quattuor. In eis, quae erant
contra ἀκαταληψίαν praeclare collecta ab Antiocho, Varroni dedi. Ad ea
ipse respondeo; tu es tertius in sermone nostro. Si Cottam et Varronem
fecissem inter se disputantes, ut a te proximis litteris admoneor,
* * * * *
Page 139
I should like you to make this quite clear to me, especially whether you
abide by your opinion that I should send him what I have written, or
whether you think it is unnecessary. But of this when we meet.
XIX
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum, June 30_, B.C. _45_]
The copyist Hilarus had just left on the 28th, and I had given him a
letter to you, when your messenger came with your letter of the day
before. What I was most glad to see in it was the sentence "Our dear
Attica begs you not to be anxious" and your own statement that there is
no danger.
I see your influence has given my speech for Ligarius a good start. For
Balbus has written to me with Oppius, saying that he is extraordinarily
pleased with it; and for that reason he has sent the little thing to
Caesar. So that is what you wrote to me some time ago.
In Varro's case I should not be disturbed about appearing to be
tuft-hunting—for my principle has always been not to insert any living
characters in my dialogues; but it was because you say Varro wants it,
and appreciates the compliment, that I have finished off the work and
have comprised the whole of the Academic philosophy—how well I cannot
say, but with all possible care—in four books. All the fine array of
arguments against the uncertainty of apperceptions collected by
Antiochus I have given to Varro; I answer him myself, and you are the
third speaker in our conversation. If I had made Cotta and Varro carry
on the argument between them, as you suggest in your last letter, I
* * * * *
Page 140
meum κωφὸν πρόσωπον esset. Hoc in antiquis personis suaviter fit, ut et
Heraclides in multis et nos in VI "de re publica" libris fecimus. Sunt
etiam "de oratore" nostri tres mihi vehementer probati. In eis quoque
eae personae sunt, ut mihi tacendum fuerit. Crassus enim loquitur,
Antonius, Catulus senex, C. Iulius, frater Catuli, Cotta, Sulpicius.
Puero me hic sermo inducitur, ut nullae esse possent partes meae. Quae
autem his temporibus scripsi, Ἀριστοτέλειον morem habent, in quo sermo
ita inducitur ceterorum, ut penes ipsum sit principatus. Ita confeci
quinque libros περὶ τελῶν, ut Epicurea L. Torquato, Stoica M. Catoni,
περιπατητικὰ M. Pisoni darem. Ἀζηλοτύπητον id fore putaram, quod omnes
illi decesserant. Haec "Academica," ut scis, cum Catulo, Lucullo,
Hortensio contuleram. Sane in personas non cadebant; erant enim
λογικώτερα quam ut illi de iis somniasse umquam viderentur. Itaque, ut
legi tuas de Varrone, tamquam ἕρμαιον arripui. Aptius esse nihil potuit
ad id philosophiae genus, quo ille maxime mihi delectari videtur, easque
partes, ut non sim consecutus, ut superior mea causa videatur. Sunt enim
vehementer πιθανὰ Antiochia; quae diligenter a me expressa acumen habent
Antiochi, nitorem orationis nostrum, si modo is est aliquis in nobis.
Sed tu, dandosne putes hos libros Varroni, etiam atque etiam videbis.
Mihi quaedam occurrunt; sed ea coram.
* * * * *
Page 141
should have been a mere lay figure. That suits admirably when the
characters are persons of olden times; and that is what Heraclides often
did in his works; and I myself did so in my six books _De Republica_. It
is the same, too, in my three books _De Oratore_, of which I think very
highly; in them, too, the characters were such that I could properly
keep silent. For the speakers are Crassus, Antonius, old Catulus, his
brother C. Julius, Cotta and Sulpicius; and the conversation is supposed
to take place when I was a boy, so that I could have no part in it. But
in a modern work, I follow Aristotle's practice: the conversation of the
others is so put forward as to leave him the principal part. I arranged
the five books _De Finibus_ so as to give the Epicurean parts to L.
Torquatus, the Stoic to M. Cato, and the Peripatetic to M. Piso. I
thought that could not make anybody jealous, as they were all dead. This
present work, the _Academica_, as you know, I had shared between
Catulus, Lucullus and Hortensius. I must admit that the work did not
suit the characters; for it was far too philosophical for them to have
ever dreamt of such things. So, when I read your note about Varro, I
jumped at it as a godsend. Nothing could have been more appropriate for
expounding the system of philosophy in which he seems to be specially
interested, and for introducing a part which prevents me from seeming to
give my own cause the superiority. For the views of Antiochus are very
persuasive, and I have put them carefully with all Antiochus' acuteness
and my own polished style, if I possess one. But do you consider
carefully, whether you think I ought to dedicate the books to Varro.
Some objections occur to me; but of that when we meet.
* * * * *
Page 142
XX
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati VI aut V Non. Quint. a. 709_]
A Caesare litteras accepi consolatorias datas pridie Kal. Maias Hispali.
De urbe augenda quid sit promulgatum, non intellexi. Id scire sane
velim. Torquato nostra officia grata esse facile patior eaque augere non
desinam. Ad Ligarianam de uxore Tuberonis et privigna neque possum iam
addere (est enim pervulgata) neque Tuberonem volo offendere; mirifice
est enim φιλαίτιος. Theatrum quidem sane bellum habuisti. Ego, etsi hoc
loco facillime sustentor, tamen te videre cupio. Itaque, ut constitui,
adero. Fratrem credo a te esse conventum. Scire igitur studeo, quid
egeris.
De fama nihil sane laboro; etsi scripseram ad te tunc stulte "nihil
melius"; curandum enim non est. Atque hoc "in omni vita sua quemque a
recta conscientia traversum unguem non oportet discedere" viden quam
φιλοσόφως? An tu nos frustra existimas haec in manibus habere? Δεδῆχθαι
te nollem, quod nihil erat. Redeo enim rursus eodem. Quicquamne me putas
curare in toto,[114] nisi ut ei ne desim? Id ago scilicet, ut iudicia
videar tenere. "Μὴ γὰρ αὐτοῖς—." Vellem tam domestica ferre possem quam
ista contemnere.
Footnote 114:
_For_ in toto _many suggestions have been made_ (_e.g._ in Torquato
_Müller_: in Bruto _Schmidt_), _and for_ ei _Wieland suggested_ mihi.
* * * * *
Page 143
XX
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum, July 2 or 3_, B.C. _45_]
I have received a letter of consolation from Caesar, posted on the last
of April at Hispalis. I did not understand what the proposals for
improving the city are; and I should much like to know. I am not
displeased that Torquatus is satisfied with my attentions, and I shall
not cease to increase them. To the speech for Ligarius I cannot add
anything now about Tubero's[115] wife and step-daughter, since the
speech is widely circulated, and I do not wish to offend Tubero; for he
is most touchy. You certainly had a good audience. Though I am happy
enough here, I am longing to see you; so I shall come as arranged. I
think you have met my brother; so I am anxious to know what happened.
Footnote 115:
Tubero was the prosecutor of Ligarius.
About my reputation I don't care a straw; though I did once write to you
foolishly that there was nothing better; for it is not worth bothering
about. And see what deep philosophy there is in this other sentiment of
mine, "In all one's life one ought not to stray a nail's breadth from
the straight path of conscience." Do you think I am engaged in
philosophical treatises for nothing? I should be sorry for you to
distress yourself about a mere nothing. Now I come back to my point. Do
you suppose I care for anything in the whole matter, except that I
should not be untrue to it.[116] I am striving, it seems then, to
maintain my position in the law courts. God forbid! Would I could bear
my private sorrow as easily as I despise them. But do
Footnote 116:
The sense and the reading of this sentence are very doubtful.
* * * * *
Page 144
Putas autem me voluisse aliquid, quod perfectum non sit? Non licet
scilicet sententiam suam, sed tamen, quae tum acta sunt, non possum non
probare, et tamen non curare pulchre possum, sicuti facio. Sed nimium
multa de nugis.
XXI
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. Asturae IV K. Sext. a. 709_]
Ad Hirtium dederam epistulam sane grandem, quam scripseram proxime in
Tusculano. Huic, quam tu mihi misisti, rescribam alias. Nunc alia malo.
Quid possum de Torquato, nisi aliquid a Dolabella? Quod simul ac,
continuo scietis. Exspectabam hodie aut summum eras ab eo tabellarios;
qui simul ac venerint, mittentur ad te. A Quinto exspecto. Proficiscens
enim e Tusculano VIII Kal., ut scis, misi ad eum tabellarios.
Nunc, ad rem ut redeam, "inhibere" illud tuum, quod valde mihi
adriserat, vehementer displicet. Est enim verbum totum nauticum.
Quamquam id quidem sciebam, sed arbitrabar sustineri remos, cum inhibere
essent remiges iussi. Id non esse eius modi didici heri, cum ad villam
nostram navis appelleretur. Non enim sustinent, sed alio modo remigant.
Id ab ἐποχῇ remotissumum est. Quare facies, ut ita sit in libro, quem ad
modum fuit. Dices hoc idem Varroni, si
* * * * *
Page 145
you suppose there was some aspiration which was left unfulfilled? Of
course one should not praise one's own principles, but I cannot help
praising my past life, and yet I can well enough feel indifferent about
it, as indeed I do. But that is enough and more than enough about such a
trifle.
XXI
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Astura, July 29_, B.C. _45_]
I have sent a very bulky letter to Hirtius, which I wrote lately at
Tusculum. This letter which you have sent, I will answer later. Just now
I prefer other things. What can I do for Torquatus, unless I hear from
Dolabella? As soon as I hear, you shall know at once. I am expecting
messengers from him to-day or to-morrow at the latest; and, as soon as
they come, they shall be sent on to you. I am expecting to hear from
Quintus. For when I was starting from Tusculum on the 25th, as you know,
I sent messengers to him.
To return to business, the word _inhibere_ suggested by you, which at
first took my fancy very much, I strongly disapprove of now. For it is
exclusively a nautical word. That, however, I knew before; but I thought
rowers rested on their oars, when told to _inhibere_. Yesterday, when a
ship put in by my house, I learned that was not so. They don't rest on
their oars, they back water. That is very different to the Greek ἐποχή.
So change the word back to what it was in the book[117]; and tell Varro
to do
Footnote 117:
_Academica_ II. 94. Ἐποχή, of which the Latin rendering is here
discussed, is the technical term in philosophy for "suspension of
judgment."
* * * * *
Page 146
forte mutavit. Nec est melius quicquam quam ut Lucilius:
"Sustineas currum ut bonus saepe agitator equosque."
Semperque Carneades προβολὴν pugilis et retentionem aurigae similem
facit ἐποχῇ. Inhibitio autem remigum motum habet, et vehementiorem
quidem, remigationis navem convertentis ad puppim. Vides, quanto hoc
diligentius curem quam aut de rumore aut de Pollione. De Pansa etiam, si
quid certius (credo enim palam factum esse), de Critonio, si quid est,
sed certe[118] de Metello et Balbino.
Footnote 118:
est, sed certe _Wesenberg_: esset certe ne _MSS._
XXIa
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati prid K. aut K. Quint. a. 709_]
Dic mihi, placetne tibi primum edere iniussu meo? Hoc ne Hermodorus
quidem faciebat, is qui Platonis libros solitus est divulgare, ex quo
"λόγοισιν Ἑρμόδωρος." Quid? illud rectumne existimas cuiquam ante
quam[119]. Bruto, cui te auctore προσφωνῶ? Scripsit enim Balbus ad me se
a te quintum "de finibus" librum descripsisse; in quo non sane multa
mutavi, sed tamen quaedam. Tu autem commode feceris, si reliquos
continueris, ne et ἀδιόρθωτα habeat Balbus et ἕωλα Brutus. Sed haec
hactenus, ne videar περὶ μικρὰ σπουδάζειν. Etsi nunc quidem maxima mihi
sunt haec; quid est enim aliud?
Footnote 119:
ante quam _added by Vict._
* * * * *
Page 147
the same, if he has altered it. One can't improve on Lucilius: "Pull up
chariot and horses as a good driver oft does." And Carneades always
compares the philosopher's suspension of judgment (ἐποχή) to the guard
of a boxer and the pulling up of a charioteer. But the _inhibitio_ of
rowers implies motion, and indeed the rather violent motion of rowing to
back the boat. You see how much more attention I pay to this than either
to rumour or to Pollio. Let me know too about Pansa, if anything
definite is known, and I suppose it has come out, about Critonius, if
there is any news, and anyhow about Metellus and Balbinus.
XXIa
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum June 30 or July 1_, B.C. _45_]
Come now, do you really think you ought to publish without my orders?
Even Hermodorus never did such a thing, though he used to circulate
Plato's books, and that gave rise to the line "our Hermodorus deals in
dialogues."[120] Do you really think you were justified in sending to
anyone before you sent to Brutus, to whom at your advice I dedicated the
work. For Balbus has written to me that you let him have a copy of the
fifth book of the _De Finibus_, in which I have made a few alterations,
though not many. However, I shall be obliged if you will keep back the
others, so that Balbus may not get unrevised copies and Brutus what is
stale. But enough of this; I don't want to seem to make a fuss about
trifles. Though these are now my important things, for what else have I?
Footnote 120:
The verse ends with ἐμπορεύεται.
* * * * *
Page 148
Varroni quidem quae scripsi te auctore, ita propero mittere, ut iam
Romam miserim describenda. Ea si voles, statim habebis. Scripsi enim ad
librarios, ut fieret tuis, si tu velles, describendi potestas. Ea vero
continebis, quoad ipse te videam; quod diligentissime facere soles, cum
a me tibi dictum est. Quo modo antea fugit me tibi dicere? Mirifice
Caerellia, studio videlicet philosophiae flagrans, describit a tuis;
istos ipsos "de finibus" habet. Ego autem tibi confirmo (possum falli ut
homo) a meis eam non habere; numquam enim ab oculis meis afuerunt.
Tantum porro aberat, ut binos scriberent; vix singulos confecerunt.
Tuorum tamen ego nullum delictum arbitror itemque te volo existimare; a
me enim praetermissum est, ut dicerem me eos exire nondum velle. Hui,
quam diu de nugis! de re enim nihil habeo quod loquar.
De Dolabella tibi adsentior. Coheredes, ut scribis, in Tusculano. De
Caesaris adventu scripsit ad me Balbus non ante Kal. Sextiles. De Attica
optime, quod levius ac levius, et quod fert εὐκόλως. Quod autem de illa
nostra cogitatione scribis, in qua nihil tibi cedo, ea, quae novi, valde
probo, hominem, domum, facultates. Quod caput est, ipsum non novi, sed
audio laudabilia, de Scrofa etiam proxime. Accedit, si quid hoc ad rem,
εὐγενέστερος est etiam quam pater. Coram igitur et quidem propenso animo
ad probandum. Accedit enim, quod patrem, ut scire te puto, plus etiam
quam non modo tu, sed quam ipse scit, amo idque et merito et iam diu.
* * * * *
Page 149
I am in such a hurry to send what I have written to Varro, as you
suggested, that I have sent it already to Rome to be copied. If you
like, you shall have it at once. For I wrote to my copyist telling them
to give your people leave to copy, if you liked. Please keep it,
however, till I see you. You are generally most careful to do so, when I
have told you. I was nearly forgetting to say that Caerellia, inspired
of course by love of philosophy, is copying from your people[121]; she
has those very books _De Finibus_. I assure you, so far as it is humanly
possible to affirm anything, that she did not get it from mine, for my
copy was never out of my sight. So far were my people from making two
copies, that they could scarcely make up one. However, I am not finding
any fault in your people, and I hope you will not either, for I omitted
to say that I did not want the books circulated yet. Dear me, how I do
harp on trifles. The fact is I have nothing of importance to say.
Footnote 121:
Or "copies."
I agree about Dolabella. My co-heirs I will meet at Tusculum, as you
suggest. As to Caesar's arrival, Balbus has written that he won't be
here till the first of August. It is good news that Attica's attack gets
slighter and slighter and that she is bearing it cheerfully. As to that
idea of ours, about which I am quite as eager as you are, so far as I
know anything about the man, I approve of him, his family, and his
fortune. What is most important is that, though I do not know him
himself, I hear very well of him, even quite recently from Scrofa. If it
is of any importance, one may add that he is even better bred than his
father. So we will speak of it when we meet, and I am disposed to
approve. For in addition, as I think you know, I am with good reason and
long have been fonder of his father than either you or he himself is
aware.
* * * * *
Page 150
XXII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati IV Non. Quint. a. 709_]
De Varrone non sine causa quid tibi placeat tam diligenter exquiro.
Occurrunt mihi quaedam. Sed ea coram. Te autem ἀσμεναίτατα intexui,
faciamque id crebrius. Proximis enim tuis litteris primum te id non
nolle cognovi. De Marcello scripserat ad me Cassius antea, τὰ κατὰ μέρος
Servius. O rem acerbam! Ad prima redeo. Scripta nostra nusquam malo esse
quam apud te, sed ea tum foras dari, cum utrique nostrum videbitur. Ego
et librarios tuos culpa libero, neque te accuso, et tamen aliud quiddam
ad te scripseram, Caerelliam quaedam habere, quae nisi a te[122] habere
non potuerit. Balbo quidem intellegebam sat faciendum fuisse, tantum
nolebam aut obsoletum Bruto aut Balbo inchoatum dari. Varroni, simul ac
te videro, si tibi videbitur, mittam. Quid autem dubitarim, cum videro
te, scies.
Footnote 122:
habere ... te _omitted by MSS.; added by Ascensius and old editors_.
Attributos quod appellas, valde probo. Te de praedio Oviae exerceri
moleste fero. De Bruto nostro perodiosum, sed vita fert. Mulieres autem
vix satis humane, quae iniquo animo ferant, cum utraque
* * * * *
Page 151
XXII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum, July 4_, B.C. _45_]
I have my reasons for asking so persistently for your opinion about
Varro. Some objections occur to me; but of those when we meet. Your name
I introduced with the greatest pleasure and I shall do so more
frequently, for I see for the first time from your last letter that you
do not disapprove. About Marcellus Cassius had already written to me,
and Servius sent some details.[123] What a sad thing! I return to my
former point. There are no hands in which I would rather have my
writings than in yours, but I should prefer them not to leave your hands
till we have agreed on it. I acquit your copyists of fault and I bring
no charge against you; but there was something different that I did
mention in a letter, that Caerellia had some things she could only have
got from you. In Balbus' case I realize of course that you had to
satisfy him; only I am sorry that Brutus should get anything stale or
Balbus anything unfinished. I will send to Varro, as soon as I have seen
you, if you agree. Why I have hesitated, you shall know, when I do see
you.
Footnote 123:
M. Marcellus, consul in 51 B.C. and a partisan of Pompey, had just
been murdered by M. Magius Cibo at Athens out of jealousy for the
favour shown him by Caesar, who had granted him permission to return
to Rome, an event celebrated in Cicero's speech _Pro Marcello_.
Servius' letter is preserved, _Ad Fam._ IV. 12, and gives full details
of the murder. Cf. also _Att._ XIII. 10.
I strongly approve of your calling in those debts which have been
transferred to me. I am sorry you are being bothered about Ovia's
estate. About Brutus it is a great nuisance, but such is life. The
ladies, however, are not very considerate in being annoyed, though both
of them observe the proprieties.[124]
Footnote 124:
Cato's daughter Porcia, to whom Brutus was to be married, and his
mother Servilia, who being a partisan of Caesar opposed the marriage.
Most editors however adopt Orelli's reading _in utraque_, in which
case it would mean "though Brutus is attentive to both."
* * * * *
Page 152
officio pareat. Tullium scribam nihil fuit quod appellares; nam tibi
mandassem, si fuisset. Nihil enim est apud eum positum nomine voti, sed
est quiddam apud illum meum. Id ego in hanc rem statui conferre. Itaque
et ego recte tibi dixi, ubi esset, et tibi ille recte negavit. Sed hoc
quoque ipsum continuo adoriamur. Lucum hominibus non sane probo, quod
est desertior, sed habet εὐλογίαν. Verum hoc quoque, ut censueris,
quippe qui omnia. Ego, ut constitui, adero, atque utinam tu quoque eodem
die! Sin quid (multa enim), utique postridie. Etenim coheredes: a quibus
sine tua opprimi malitia. Est[125] alteris iam litteris nihil ad me de
Attica. Sed id quidem in optima spe pono; illud accuso non te, sed
illam, ne salutem quidem. At tu et illi et Piliae plurimam, nec me tamen
irasci indicaris. Epistulam Caesaris misi, si minus legisses.
Footnote 125:
a quis sine te opprimi militia est _MSS.: the reading I have adopted
is that of Tyrrell_.
XXIII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano VI Id. Quint. a. 709_]
Antemeridianis tuis litteris heri statim rescripsi; nunc respondeo
vespertinis. Brutus mallem me arcesseret.
* * * * *
Page 153
There was no necessity for you to dun my secretary Tullius; I should
have told you, if there had been. For he has nothing of mine towards
carrying out my vow.[126] But he has some of my money, and that I am
thinking of devoting to that purpose. So we were both right, I in
telling you where it was, and he in denying he had it. But let us get
hold of this same money also at once. I do not very much approve of a
grove for mortals, as it is not much frequented; but there is something
to say for it. However, let that too be as you like, since you decide
everything. I shall come to town when I arranged, and I hope to goodness
you will be there the same day. But, if anything prevents you, and lots
of things may, the next day at any rate. For there are my co-heirs, and
without your shrewdness I shall be done for. This is the second letter
with no news of Attica. But that I take as a hopeful sign. There is one
thing I have a grievance about, not against you, but against her, that
she does not even send her regards. But pay my best respects to her and
to Pilia, and don't hint that I am angry anyhow. I am sending Caesar's
letter, in case you should not have read it.
Footnote 126:
_i.e._ no money deposited with him towards the building of the shrine.
XXIII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, July 10_, B.C. _45_]
The morning's letter I answered yesterday at once, now I am answering
yours of the evening. I would rather Brutus had asked me to Rome. It
* * * * *
Page 154
Et aequius erat, cum illi iter instaret et subitum et longum, et me
hercule nunc, cum ita simus adfecti, ut non possimus plane simul vivere
(intellegis enim profecto, in quo maxime posita sit συμβίωσις), facile
patiebar nos potius Romae una esse quam in Tusculano.
Libri ad Varronem non morabantur, sunt enim detexti, ut vidisti; tantum
librariorum menda tolluntur. De quibus libris scis me dubitasse, sed tu
videris. Item, quos Bruto mittimus, in manibus habent librarii.
Mea mandata, ut scribis, explica. Quamquam ista retentione omnes ait uti
Trebatius; quid tu istos putas? Nosti domum. Quare confice εὐαγώγως.
Incredibile est, quam ego ista non curem. Omni tibi adseveratione
adfirmo, quod mihi credas velim, mihi maiori offensioni esse quam
delectationi possessiunculas meas. Magis enim doleo me non habere, cui
tradam, quam gaudeo[127] habere, qui utar. Atque illud Trebatius se tibi
dixisse narrabat; tu autem veritus es fortasse, ne ego invitus audirem.
Fuit id quidem humanitatis, sed, mihi crede, iam ista non curo. Quare da
te in sermonem et perseca et confice, et ita cum Polla loquere, ut te
cum illo Scaeva loqui
Footnote 127:
gaudeo _added by Gronovius_.
* * * * *
Page 155
would have been fairer, as he is on the point of a sudden long journey,
and upon my soul I should have much preferred that we should meet in
Rome rather than in my house at Tusculum, now that the state of our
feelings prevents us from living together at all, for of course you
understand what constitutes good company.
There is no delay about the books dedicated to Varro. They are finished,
as you have seen; there is only the correction of the copyists'
mistakes. About those books you know I have had some hesitation, but you
must look to it. The copyists have in hand, too, those I am dedicating
to Brutus.
Carry out my instructions as you say. However what about that
abatement?[128] Trebatius says everybody is taking advantage of it. What
do you suppose my debtors will do? You know the gang.[129] So settle the
matter accommodatingly. You would never believe how little I care about
such things. I give you my solemn word for it, and I hope you will
believe me, that the little I have causes me more annoyance than
pleasure. For I am more grieved at having no one to leave it to than
pleased at having enough for my own enjoyment. Trebatius tells me he
told you so; but perhaps you feared I should be sorry at the news. That
was certainly kind of you; but, believe me, I don't care about such
things now. So get you to your conferences, hack away at it and finish
the business; and in talking with Polla consider you are talking with
that fellow Scaeva,[130] and
Footnote 128:
By the Julian law of 49 B.C. debtors could make over property to their
creditors on the valuation it had before the Civil war, and could
deduct all interest already paid from the debt.
Footnote 129:
_Domum_ may refer to some house offered in payment of a debt to
Cicero, or it may possibly be used in the sense I, following most
editors, have given it, for which however _familia_ is commoner. Reid
would read _dominum_, referring it to Caesar.
Footnote 130:
Caesar had a favourite centurion named Scaeva, and that may be the
person here referred to. If so it means "remember they are all people
who have shared Caesar's plunder." But many regard the name and the
words _da_ to _confice_ as a quotation from some play.
* * * * *
Page 156
putes, nec existimes eos, qui non debita consectari soleant, quod
debeatur, remissuros. De die tantum videto et id ipsum bono modo.
XXIV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano V Id. Quint. a. 709_]
Quid est, quod Hermogenes mihi Clodius Andromenem sibi dixisse se
Ciceronem vidisse Corcyrae? Ego enim audita tibi putaram. Nil igitur ne
ei quidem litterarum? An non vidit? Facies ergo, ut sciam.
Quid tibi ego de Varrone rescribam? Quattuor διφθέραι sunt in tua
potestate. Quod egeris, id probabo. Nec tamen "αἰδέομαι Τρῶας." Quid
enim? Sed, ipsi quam res illa probaretur, magis verebar. Sed, quoniam tu
suscipis, in alteram aurem.
De retentione rescripsi ad tuas accurate scriptas litteras. Conficies
igitur, et quidem sine ulla dubitatione aut retrectatione. Hoc fieri et
oportet et opus est.
XXV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano IV Id. Quint. a. 709_]
De Andromene, ut scribis, ita putaram. Scisses enim mihique dixisses. Tu
tamen ita mihi de Bruto scribis, ut de te nihil. Quando autem illum
putas? Nam ego Romam pridie Idus. Bruto ita volui scribere
* * * * *
Page 157
don't imagine that those who are in the habit of taking what is not
owing to them, will abate anything that is. Only be careful that they
pay up to time and allow some latitude there too.
XXIV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, July 11_, B.C. _45_]
What am I to make of this? Hermogenes Clodius tells me that Andromenes
said he saw my son at Corcyra. For I supposed you had heard of it. Then
didn't he give any letter even to him? Or perhaps he didn't see him. You
must let me know, please.
What answer am I to give you about Varro? You have the four parchment
rolls: and whatever you do I shall approve. It is not that "I fear the
Trojans."[131] Why should I? But I am more afraid how he may regard it.
However, as you undertake the matter, I shall sleep in peace.[132]
Footnote 131:
Cf. _Att._ XIII. 13.
Footnote 132:
Lit. "on both ears." Supply _dormire licet_.
About the abatement I have answered your careful letter. You must get
the matter over, and that too without any hesitation or refusal. That
ought to be and must be done.
XXV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, July 12_, B.C. _45_]
About Andromenes I thought exactly what you say, for you would have
known and told me. However, you have written such a lot about Brutus
that you say nothing of yourself. But when do you think he is coming?
For I shall come to Rome on the 14th. What I meant to say in my letter
to
* * * * *
Page 158
(sed, quoniam tu te legisse scribis, fui fortasse ἀσαφέστερος), me ex
tuis litteris intellexisse nolle eum me quasi prosequendi sui causa
Romam nunc venire. Sed, quoniam iam adest meus adventus, fac, quaeso, ne
quid eum Idus impediant, quo minus suo commodo in Tusculano sit. Nec
enim ad tabulam eum desideraturus eram (in tali enim negotio cur tu unus
non satis es?), sed ad testamentum volebam, quod iam malo alio die, ne
ob eam causam Romam venisse videar. Scripsi igitur ad Brutum iam illud,
quod putassem, Idibus nihil opus esse. Velim ergo totum hoc ita
gubernes, ut ne minima quidem re ulla Bruti commodum impediamus.
Sed quid est tandem, quod perhorrescas, quia tuo periculo iubeam libros
dari Varroni? Etiam nunc si dubitas, fac, ut sciamus. Nihil est enim
illis elegantius. Volo Varronem, praesertim cum ille desideret; sed est,
ut scis,
[Sidenote: _Iliad_, xi. 654]
"δεινὸς ἀνήρ· τάχα κεν καὶ ἀναίτιον αἰτιόῳτο."
Ita mihi saepe occurrit vultus eius querentis fortasse vel hoc, meas
partis in iis libris copiosius defensas esse quam suas, quod me hercule
non esse intelleges, si quando in Epirum veneris. Nam nunc Alexionis
epistulis cedimus. Sed tamen ego non despero probatum iri Varroni, et
id, quoniam impensam fecimus in macrocolla, facile patior teneri. Sed,
etiam atque etiam dico, tuo periculo fiet. Quare, si addubitas, ad
Brutum transeamus; est enim is quoque Antiochius.
* * * * *
Page 159
Brutus was that I had gathered from your note that he did not wish me to
come to Rome now just to pay my respects to him—but, as you say you have
read the letter, perhaps I was not quite clear. However, as I am just on
the point of coming, please see that my presence on the 15th does not
prevent his coming to Tusculum at his convenience. For I shall not want
him at the auction—surely in such a business you alone will be enough:
but I do want him when I make my will. That I would rather postpone for
another day now, so as not to seem to have come to Rome expressly for
that purpose. So I have written to Brutus now that I shall not want him,
as I had thought, on the 15th. I should like you to look after all this
and see that we don't inconvenience Brutus in the least.
But what on earth is the reason why you are so frightened at my bidding
you send the books to Varro on your own responsibility? Even now, if you
have any doubts, let me know. Nothing could be more finished than they
are. I want Varro, especially as he desires it: but, as you know, he is
"a fearsome man; the blameless he would blame." I often picture him to
myself complaining of this perhaps, that my side in the books is more
fully defended than his own, though I assure you, if ever you come to
Epirus, I will convince you it is not. For at present I have to give way
to Alexio's[133] letters. However, I don't despair of winning Varro's
approval; and, as I have gone to the expense of a large paper copy, I
should like to stick to my plan. But I repeat again, it must be on your
responsibility. So, if you have doubts, let us change to Brutus: he is
also a
Footnote 133:
Atticus' steward.
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O Academiam volaticam et sui similem! modo huc, modo illuc. Sed, quaeso,
epistula mea ad Varronem valdene tibi placuit? Male mi sit, si umquam
quicquam tam enitar. Ergo ne Tironi quidem dictavi, qui totas περιοχὰς
persequi solet, sed Spintharo syllabatim.
XXVI
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano prid. Id. Mai. a. 709_]
De Vergili parte valde probo. Sic ages igitur. Et quidem id erit primum,
proximum Clodiae. Quodsi neutrum, metuo, ne turbem et inruam in Drusum.
Intemperans sum in eius rei cupiditate, quam nosti. Itaque revolvor
identidem in Tusculanum. Quidvis enim potius, quam ut non hac aestate
absolvatur.
Ego, ut tempus est nostrum, locum habeo nullum, ubi facilius esse possim
quam Asturae. Sed, quia, qui mecum sunt, credo, quod maestitiam meam non
ferunt, domum properant, etsi poteram remanere, tamen, ut scripsi tibi,
proficiscar hinc, ne relictus videar. Quo autem? Lanuvio conor equidem
in Tusculanum. Sed faciam te statim certiorem. Tu litteras conficies.
Equidem credibile non est quantum scribam, quin etiam noctibus. Nihil
enim somni. Heri etiam effeci epistulam ad Caesarem; tibi enim placebat.
Quam non fuit malum scribi, si forte opus
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follower of Antiochus. O that fickle Academy, always the same, now one
thing, now another.[134] But pray tell me, were you very pleased with my
letter to Varro. May I be hanged if I ever take so much trouble with
anything again. So I did not even dictate it to Tiro, who can follow
whole sentences as dictated, but syllable by syllable to Spintharus.
Footnote 134:
Like Cicero's treatise, which had already been rewritten twice: cf.
XIII. 16.
XXVI
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, May 14_, B.C. _45_]
About Vergilius'[135] share I approve; so arrange it like that. And
indeed it will be my first choice, next to Clodia's. If neither, I fear
I shall run amuck and make a dash for Drusus. As you know, I have lost
control of myself in my desire for this. So I keep coming back to the
idea of my place at Tusculum. For anything is better than not getting it
finished this summer.
Footnote 135:
Vergilius was one of the four co-heirs of Scapula. Cf. XII. 38a.
Under the present circumstances I am as comfortable at Astura as I could
be anywhere. But as those who are with me are in a hurry to go home, I
suppose because they cannot put up with my melancholy, though I might
remain, I shall leave here, as I told you, so as not to seem deserted.
But where am I to go? From Lanuvium I am trying to bring myself to go to
Tusculum. But I will let you know soon. Please write the letters. You
wouldn't believe how much writing I get done by night as well as day,
for I cannot sleep. Yesterday I even composed a letter to Caesar, as you
desired. There was no harm in writing it in case you thought it
necessary: as
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esse putares; ut quidem nunc est, nihil sane est necesse mittere. Sed id
quidem, ut tibi videbitur. Mittam tamen ad te exemplum fortasse Lanuvio,
nisi forte Romam. Sed eras scies.