I
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Puteoli, May 17_, B.C. _44_]
What a misfortune about Alexio! It has upset me more than you can
believe, and not, I assure you, particularly on the score which most
people seem to think it has, asking to what doctor I shall turn now.
What do I want with a doctor now? And, if I do want one, is there such a
dearth of them? It is his love for me, his kindness and charming manner
that I miss. There is another thing, too. What have we not to fear, when
so temperate a person and so skilful a physician can be overcome
suddenly by such a disease? But for all these things there is one
consolation: we are born under this condition, that we may not refuse
anything that fate has in store for mortals.
As for Antony, I have told you before that I have not met him. For he
came to Misenum when I was at Pompeii, and he left before I knew he was
there. But by chance, when I was reading your letter, Hirtius was with
me at Puteoli. I read it to him and pleaded with him. At first he would
not make any concession worth counting, but in the end he said I should
direct not only this matter but all his consulship. With Antony I shall
put the matter so that he may see that, if he obliges me in this
particular
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nobis satis fecerit, totum me futurum suum. Dolabellam spero domi esse.
Redeamus ad nostros. De quibus tu bonam spem te significas habere
propter edictorum humanitatem. Ego autem perspexi, cum a me XVII Kal. de
Puteolano Neapolim Pansae conveniendi causa proficisceretur Hirtius,
omnem eius sensum. Seduxi enim et ad pacem sum cohortatus. Non poterat
scilicet negare se velle pacem, sed non minus se nostrorum arma timere
quam Antoni, et tamen utrosque non sine causa praesidium habere, se
autem utraque arma metuere. Quid quaeris? οὐδὲν ὑγιές.
De Quinto filio tibi adsentior. Patri quidem certe gratissimae bellae
tuae litterae fuerunt. Caerelliae vero facile satis feci; nec valde
laborare mihi visa est, et, si illa, ego certe non laborarem. Istam
vero, quam tibi molestam scribis esse, auditam a te esse omnino demiror.
Nam, quod eam conlaudavi apud amicos audientibus tribus filiis eius et
filia tua, τί ἐκ τούτου;[230]
Footnote 230:
τὸ ἐκ τούτου quid est hoc _MSS._ _The Latin words were excluded by
Lambinus_, τί _suggested by Kayser_.
"Quid est autem, cur ego personatus ambulem?"
Parumne foeda persona est ipsius senectutis?
Quod Brutus rogat, ut ante Kalendas, ad me quoque scripsit, et fortasse
faciam. Sed plane, quid velit, nescio. Quid enim illi adferre consilii
possum, cum ipse egeam consilio, et cum ille suae inmortalitati melius
quam nostro otio consuluerit? De regina rumor exstinguitur. De Flamma,
obsecro te, si quid potes.
* * * * *
Page 295
matter, I shall be entirely his for the future. I hope Dolabella is at
home.
Let us return to our heroes. You hint that you have good hopes for them
in the moderate tone of the edicts. But, when Hirtius left me at Puteoli
on the 16th of May to meet Pansa at Naples, his whole mind was revealed
to me. For I took him aside and exhorted him to keep the peace. He could
not, of course, say that he did not want peace, but he did say that he
was as much afraid of armed action on our side as from Antony, and that
after all both had reason for being on their guard, and for his part he
was afraid of hostilities from both. In fact he is quite unreliable.
About young Quintus I agree with you. His father, at any rate, was most
pleased with your nice letter. Caerellia I easily satisfied; she did not
seem to me to bother herself much, and, if she had, I certainly should
not have done so. As to the lady who you say is plaguing you, I wonder
you listened to her at all. For, if I did compliment her before friends,
when three of her own sons and your daughter were present, what is there
in that?
"Why should I wear a mask before men's eyes?"
Is not old age itself a mask ugly enough?
You say Brutus asks me to come before the 1st. He has written to me too,
and perhaps I shall do so. But I really don't know what he wants. What
advice can I give him, when I want advice myself, and when he has
thought of his immortality rather than our peace of mind? The rumour
about Cleopatra is dying out. As to Flamma, pray do what you can.
* * * * *
Page 296
Ia
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Sinuessano XV Kal. Iun. a. 710_]
Here dederam ad te litteras exiens e Puteolano deverteramque in Cumanum.
Ibi bene valentem videram Piliam. Quin etiam paulo post Cumis eam vidi.
Venerat enim in funus; cui funeri ego quoque operam dedi. Cn. Lucullus,
familiaris noster, matrem efferebat. Mansi igitur eo die in Sinuessano
atque inde mane postridie Arpinum proficiscens hanc epistulam exaravi.
Erat autem nihil novi, quod aut scriberem aut ex te quaererem, nisi
forte hoc ad rem putas pertinere. Brutus noster misit ad me orationem
suam habitam in contione Capitolina, petivitque a me, ut eam ne
ambitiose corrigerem, antequam ederet. Est autem oratio scripta
elegantissime sententiis, verbis, ut nihil possit ultra. Ego tamen, si
illam causam habuissem, scripsissem ardentius. Ὑπόθεσις vides quae sit
et persona dicentis. Itaque eam corrigere non potui. Quo enim in genere
Brutus noster esse vult et quod iudicium habet de optimo genere dicendi,
id ita consecutus in ea oratione est, ut elegantius esse nihil possit;
sed ego secutus aliud sum, sive hoc recte sive non recte. Tu tamen velim
eam orationem legas, nisi forte iam legisti, certioremque me facias,
quid iudices ipse. Quamquam vereor, ne cognomine tuo lapsus ὑπεραττικὸς
sis in iudicando. Sed, si recordabere Δημοσθένους fulmina, tum
intelleges
* * * * *
Page 297
Ia
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Sinuessa, May 18_, B.C. _44_]
Yesterday I sent off a letter to you as I was leaving Puteoli and
stopped at my house at Cumae. There I found Pilia enjoying the best of
health. Indeed, I saw her again shortly afterwards at Cumae. For she had
come for a funeral, which I also was attending. Our friend Cn. Lucullus
was burying his mother. So I stayed that day at Sinuessa, and there I
have scribbled this as I am starting early in the morning of the next
day for Arpinum. However, I have no news either to write to you or to
ask from you, unless you think this is to the point. Brutus has sent me
the speech he delivered in the meeting on the Capitol, and has asked me
to correct it without regarding his feelings, before he publishes it.
Now the speech is most elegantly expressed as regards its sentiments,
and its language could not be surpassed. But myself, if I had pleaded
that cause, I should have written with more fire. You realize what the
theme is and what the speaker is. So I could not alter it. For
considering the style our friend Brutus affects and the opinion he holds
of the best style of oratory, he has attained it in its highest elegance
in this speech. But rightly or wrongly I have aimed at something
different. However, I should like you to read the speech, if you have
not done so already, and to let me know your opinion, though I am afraid
that your name will lead you astray and you will be hyper-Attic in your
criticism. However, if you will recall Demosthenes' thunder-bursts, you
will be able to realize that one can use considerable force even in
* * * * *
Page 298
posse vel ἀττικώτατα gravissime dici. Sed haec coram. Nunc nec sine
epistula nec cum inani epistula volui ad te Metrodorum venire.
II
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Vesciano XV Kal. Iun. a. 710_]
XV Kal. e Sinuessano proficiscens cum dedissem ad te litteras
devertissemque acutius,[231] in Vesciano accepi a tabellario tuas
litteras; in quibus nimis multa de Buthroto. Non enim tibi ea res maiori
curae aut est aut erit quam mihi. Sic enim decet te mea curare, tua me.
Quam ob rem id quidem sic susceptum est mihi, ut nihil sim habiturus
antiquius.
Footnote 231:
acutius _is probably a corruption of_ ad _and a proper name_.
L. Antonium contionatum esse cognovi tuis litteris et aliis sordide;
sed, id quale fuerit, nescio; nihil enim scripsisti. De Menedemo probe.
Quintus certe ea dictitat, quae scribis. Consilium meum a te probari,
quod ea non scribam, quae tu a me postularis, facile patior, multoque
magis id probabis, si orationem eam, de qua hodie ad te scripsi,
legeris. Quae de legionibus scribis, ea vera sunt. Sed non satis hoc
mihi videris tibi persuasisse, qui de Buthrotiis nostris per senatum
speres confici posse. Quod puto (tantum enim video) non videmur esse
victuri, sed, ut iam nos hoc fallat, de Buthroto te non fallet. De
Octavi contione idem sentio quod tu, ludorumque
* * * * *
Page 299
the purest Attic style. But of this when we meet. At the present time
all I wanted was that Metrodorus should not come to you without a letter
or with a letter that had nothing in it.
II
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Vescia, May 18_, B.C. _44_]
On the 18th I sent a letter to you as I was starting from Sinuessa, and
stopped at.... Then at Vescia your messenger delivered your letter,
which contained more than enough about Buthrotum. For you cannot and
will not have that business at heart more than I have and shall have:
that is the way that I ought to care for your business, and you for
mine. Accordingly, as I have undertaken it, I shall give it the
preference to everything else.
I hear from your letters and others that L. Antonius' speech was a poor
thing; but what it was like I do not know, as you have not told me. I am
glad to hear about Menedemus. Quintus certainly keeps on reiterating
what you mention. I am relieved to hear that you approve of my
determination not to write the sort of thing you asked me to write, and
you will approve of it much more, if you read the speech about which I
am writing to you to-day. What you say about the legions is true. But
you do not seem to me to have taken the point sufficiently to heart, if
you hope we can settle the matter of Buthrotum through the Senate. In my
opinion (for so much I can see) we have no chance of winning; but
supposing I am mistaken about that, you will not be disappointed about
Buthrotum. About Octavius' speech I think the same as you, and I don't
like
* * * * *
Page 300
eius apparatus et Matius ac Postumus mihi procuratores non placent;
Saserna collega dignus. Sed isti omnes, quem ad modum sentis, non minus
otium timent quam nos arma. Balbum levari invidia per nos velim, sed ne
ipse quidem id fieri posse confidit. Itaque alia cogitat.
Quod prima disputatio Tusculana te confirmat, sane gaudeo; neque enim
ullum est perfugium aut melius aut paratius. Flamma quod bene loquitur,
non moleste fero. Tyndaritanorum causa, de qua causa laborat, quae sit,
ignoro. Hos tamen ...[232] Πεντέλοιπον movere ista videntur, in primis
erogatio pecuniae. De Alexione doleo, sed, quoniam inciderat in tam
gravem morbum, bene actum cum illo arbitror. Quos tamen secundos
heredes, scire velim et diem testamenti.
Footnote 232:
hos tamen _MSS._, _which may be an aposiopesis, or some such word as_
defendam _may be omitted_: noscum tamen _Reid_.
III
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati XI Kal. Iun. a. 710_]
Undecimo Kal. accepi in Arpinati duas epistulas tuas, quibus duabus meis
respondisti. Una erat XV Kal., altera XII data. Ad superiorem igitur
prius. Accurres in Tusculanum, ut scribis; quo me VI Kal. venturum
arbitrabar. Quod scribis parendum victoribus, non mihi quidem, cui sunt
multa potiora.
* * * * *
Page 301
his preparations for the games or Matius and Postumus as his agents.
Saserna is a colleague worthy of them. But all that party, as you
realize, fear peace no less than we fear war. I should be glad if we
could relieve Balbus of his unpopularity; but even he has no hope of
that happening, so he is thinking of other things.
I am very glad if the first _Tusculan Disputation_ gives you courage,
for there is no other refuge either better or more available.[233] I am
relieved that Flamma gives a good account of himself. What the case of
the people of Tyndaris is, about which he is concerned, I do not know,
but I am on their side. The "last of the five" seems to be upset by the
things you wot of, especially the withdrawal of the money. I am grieved
about Alexio, but, as he had contracted such a serious disease, I think
he was fortunate. Whom he has appointed residuary heirs I should like to
know, and the latest day for acceptance of the inheritance under his
will.
Footnote 233:
_i.e._ than death, which is the subject of the book mentioned.
III
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum, May 22_, B.C. _44_]
On the 22nd I received two letters from you at Arpinum, in which you
answered two of mine. One was dated the 18th, the other the 21st. So I
will answer the earlier first. Pray hasten to Tusculum, as you say: I
think I shall get there on the 27th. You say we must obey the victors.
I, for one, will not: there are many courses I should prefer to that.
For
* * * * *
Page 302
Nam illa quae recordaris Lentulo et Marcello consulibus acta in aede
Apollinis, nec causa eadem est nec simile tempus, praesertim cum
Marcellum scribas aliosque discedere. Erit igitur nobis coram odorandum,
et constituendum, tutone Romae esse possimus. Novi conventus habitatores
sane movent; in magnis enim versamur angustiis. Sed sunt ista parvi;
quin vel maiora contemnimus. Calvae testamentum cognovi, hominis turpis
ac sordidi. Tabula Demonici quod tibi curae est, gratum. De malo[234]
scripsi iam pridem ad Dolabellam accuratissime, modo redditae litterae
sint. Eius causa et cupio et debeo.
Footnote 234:
_For_ malo _many suggestions have been made: e.g._ Mario _by Manutius
and_ Manlio _by Shuckburgh, who compares Att._ XIII. 9.
Venio ad propiorem. Cognovi de Alexione, quae desiderabam. Hirtius est
tuus. Antonio, quoniam[235] est, volo peius esse. De Quinto filio, ut
scribis, ἅλις.[236] De patre coram agemus. Brutum omni re, qua possum,
cupio iuvare. Cuius de oratiuncula idem te quod me sentire video. Sed
parum intellego, quid me velis scribere quasi a Bruto habita oratione,
cum ille ediderit. Qui tandem convenit? an sic ut in tyrannum iure
optimo caesum? Multa dicentur, multa scribentur a nobis, sed alio modo
et tempore. De sella Caesaris bene tribuni; praeclaros etiam XIV
ordines! Brutum apud me fuisse gaudeo, modo et libenter fuerit et sat
diu.
Footnote 235:
quam iam _Orelli_: quoniam male _Alanus_. Tyrrell suggests that _male_
can be supplied in thought from the _peius_ that follows.
Footnote 236:
ἅλις _Turnebus_: A.M.C. _MSS._
* * * * *
Page 303
the case is not the same, nor is the occasion the same, as in the
proceedings which you recall to my memory as taking place in the temple
of Apollo in the consulship of Lentulus and Marcellus:[237] especially
as you say Marcellus and others are leaving Rome. So when we meet we
must scent out the facts and settle whether we can be safe at Rome. The
inhabitants of the new community[238] trouble me a good deal, for I am
in considerable difficulties. But these are small matters: I am treating
even more important things than this with contempt. I know Calva's will.
How disgracefully mean! I am grateful to you for attending to Demonicus'
sale. About ... I wrote to Dolabella long ago very fully, if only my
letter was delivered. In his interests I am keen and devoted.
Footnote 237:
49 B.C., when the Senate summoned all good citizens to Rome.
Footnote 238:
A _colonia_ of veterans planted by Antony at Casilinum.
I come to your more recent letter. I have learned all I want about
Alexio. Hirtius is devoted to you. With Antonius I wish things were
going even worse than they are. About young Quintus, as you say,
_assez_. About his father we will speak when we meet. I want to assist
Brutus in every way that is possible. I see you have the same opinion of
his harangue as I have. But I don't quite understand why you want me to
write a speech attributing it to Brutus, when he has published his own.
How could that be proper? Should I write as though against a tyrant
justly executed? I shall have much to say and much to write, but in
another way and at another time. Well done the tribunes about Caesar's
chair, and well done the famous fourteen rows of equites! I am glad
Brutus stayed at my house, and I only hope he enjoyed himself and stayed
a long time.
* * * * *
Page 304
IV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati IX K. Iun. a. 710_]
IX K.H. X fere a Q. Fufio venit tabellarius. Nescio quid ab eo
litterularum, uti me sibi restituerem. Sane insulse, ut solet, nisi
forte, quae non ames, omnia videntur insulse fieri. Scripsi ita, ut te
probaturum existimo. Mihi duas a te epistulas reddidit, unam XI, alteram
X. Ad recentiorem prius et pleniorem. Laudo; si vero etiam Carfulenus,
"ἄνω ποταμῶν." Antoni consilia narras turbulenta. Atque utinam potius
per populum agat quam per senatum! quod quidem ita credo. Sed mihi totum
eius consilium ad bellum spectare videtur, si quidem D. Bruto provincia
eripitur. Quoquo modo ego de illius nervis existimo, non videtur fieri
posse sine bello. Sed non cupio, quoniam cavetur Buthrotiis. Rides? At
ego doleo non mea potius adsiduitate, diligentia, gratia perfici. Quod
scribis te nescire, quid nostris faciendum sit, iam pridem me illa
ἀπορία sollicitat. Itaque stulta iam Iduum Martiarum est consolatio.
Animis enim usi sumus virilibus, consiliis, mihi crede, puerilibus.
Excisa enim est arbor, non evulsa. Itaque quam fruticetur, vides.
Redeamus igitur, quoniam
* * * * *
Page 305
IV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum, May 24_, B.C. _44_]
On the 24th, about four o'clock, came a messenger from Q. Fufius
bringing some sort of a note from him, begging me to make it up with
him. A very silly letter as usual, unless one thinks that everything one
does not like is very silly. I sent an answer of which I think you would
approve. The messenger delivered two of your letters, one of the 22nd,
the other of the 23rd. I answer the later and fuller one first. I
approve.[239] Why, if even Carfulenus deserts him, it will be the end of
the world[240] for him. Antony's plans, as you describe them, are
revolutionary. And I only hope he will try to get his way through the
people and not through the Senate, which I think is probable. But to me
his whole policy seems to point to war, since D. Brutus is being robbed
of his province. Whatever I may think of Brutus' resources, I don't
think that can happen without war. But I don't want war, since the
Buthrotians are all right as it is. You may smile: but I am sorry it was
not rather accomplished by my persistence, diligence, and influence. You
say you don't know what our friends are to do: that difficulty has been
bothering me for a long time. So now I see it was folly to be consoled
by the Ides of March: for though our courage was that of men, believe me
we had no more sense than children. We have only cut down the tree, not
rooted it up. So you see how it is shooting out.
Footnote 239:
Presumably of the action of the Martian legion, which was reported to
have deserted Antony and joined Octavius. Carfulenus, mentioned in the
next sentence, was an officer in that legion.
Footnote 240:
A quotation from Euripides, _Medea_, 409:—
ἄνω ποταμῶν ἱερῶν χωροῦσι παγαί,
καὶ δίκα καὶ πάντα πάλιν στρέφεται,
which had apparently passed into a proverb.
* * * * *
Page 306
saepe usurpas, ad Tusculanas disputationes. Saufeium de te celemus; ego
numquam indicabo. Quod te a Bruto scribis, ut certior fieret, quo die in
Tusculanum essem venturus, ut ad te ante scripsi, VI Kal., et quidem ibi
te quam primum per videre velim. Puto enim nobis Lanuvium eundum et
quidem non sine multo sermone. Sed μελήσει.
Redeo ad superiorem. Ex qua praetereo illa prima de Buthrotiis; quae
mihi sunt inclusa medullis, sit modo, ut scribis, locus agendi. De
oratione Bruti prorsus contendis, cum iterum tam multis verbis agis.
Egone ut eam causam, quam is scripsit? ego scribam non rogatus ab eo?
Nulla παρεγχείρησις fieri potest contumeliosior. "At," inquis,
"Ἡρακλείδειον aliquod." Non recuso id quidem, sed et componendum
argumentum est et scribendi exspectandum tempus maturius. Licet enim de
me, ut libet, existimes (velim quidem quam optime), si haec ita manant,
ut videntur (feres, quod dicam), me Idus Martiae non delectant. Ille
enim numquam revertisset, nos timor confirmare eius acta non coëgisset,
aut, ut in Saufei eam relinquamque Tusculanas disputationes, ad quas tu
etiam Vestorium hortaris, ita gratiosi eramus apud illum, quem di
mortuum perduint! ut nostrae aetati,
* * * * *
Page 307
Let us return, then, to the _Tusculan Disputations_, since you often
refer to them. Let us keep your secret from Saufeius:[241] I will never
betray it. You send a message from Brutus, asking me to let him know
when I shall reach Tusculum. On the 27th, as I told you before; and I
should very much like to see you there as soon as possible. For I think
we shall have to go to Lanuvium,[242] and that not without a lot of
talk. However, I will see to it.
Footnote 241:
Atticus and Saufeius both professed the Epicurean philosophy, which
was attacked in the first book of the _Tusculan Disputations_. The
"secret" is Atticus' lapse from Epicureanism in approving of the views
expressed in that book.
Footnote 242:
To meet Brutus.
I return to your earlier letter, and I pass over the first part about
the Buthrotians. For that is engraved on my heart of hearts, if only, as
you say, there is an opening for action. You are very insistent about
Brutus' speech, since you say so much about it again. Am I really to
plead the same case as that he has written about? Am I to write without
being asked by him? One could not put one's oar in more rudely. "But,"
you say, "write something in the style of Heracleides."[243] That I
don't refuse, but I should have to settle on a line of argument, and I
should have to wait for more time to write it. For think what you will
of me—though of course I should like you to think as well as possible,
and not be offended at what I say—if affairs drift on as they seem to be
doing, I can take no pleasure in the Ides of March. Caesar would never
have come back,[244] and fear would not have compelled us to ratify his
acts; or, if I join Saufeius' school and desert the _Tusculan
Disputations_, which you would press even on Vestorius, I was so high in
his favour (heaven confound him, though he is dead!) that to a person of
my age he was not a
Footnote 243:
Heracleides of Pontus, a pupil of Plato, who wrote on political
subjects.
Footnote 244:
From the Parthian war, in all probability; though some take it to
refer to Antony, as a reincarnation of Caesar.
* * * * *
Page 308
quoniam interfecto domino liberi non sumus, non fuerit dominus ille
fugiendus. Rubeo, mihi crede, sed iam scripseram; delere nolui.
De Menedemo vellem verum fuisset, de regina velim verum sit. Cetera
coram, et maxime quid nostris faciendum sit, quid etiam nobis, si
Antonius militibus obsessurus est senatum. Hanc epistulam si illius
tabellario dedissem, veritus sum, ne solveret. Itaque misi dedita. Erat
enim rescribendum tuis.
IVa
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. In Tusculano VI K. Iun. a. 710_]
Quam vellem Bruto studium tuum navare potuisses! Ego igitur ad eum
litteras. Ad Dolabellam Tironem misi cum mandatis et litteris. Eum ad te
vocabis et, si quid habebis, quod placeat, scribes. Ecce autem de
traverso L. Caesar ut veniam ad se rogat in Nemus aut scribam, quo se
venire velim; Bruto enim placere se a me conveniri. O rem odiosam et
inexplicabilem! Puto me ergo iturum et inde Romam, nisi quid mutaro.
Summatim adhuc ad te; nihildum enim a Balbo. Tuas igitur exspecto nec
actorum solum, sed etiam futurorum.
* * * * *
Page 309
master to run away from, since the death of a master has not set us
free. I blush, believe me; but I have written it, and I won't erase it.
I wish it had been true about Menedemus, and I hope it may be true about
Cleopatra. The rest when we meet, and especially what our friends must
do, and what even we must do, if Antony is going to surround the House
with soldiers. I was afraid he might open this letter, if I gave it to
his messengers, so I have sent it with special care, for I had to answer
yours.
IVa
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, May 27_, B.C. _44_]
How I wish you could have rendered your service to Brutus! So I am
writing to him. I have sent Tiro to Dolabella with a message and a
letter. Summon him to you, and, if you have any pleasant news, write.
But here is a letter from L. Caesar all of a sudden, asking me to come
to him at the Grove[245] or write where I should like to meet him:
Brutus wants me to see him. What a nuisance and what a surprise! I
suppose then I must go, and from there on to Rome, unless I change my
mind. At present I am only sending you a short note, for I have not
heard yet from Balbus. So I am looking for a letter from you to tell me
not only what has happened but what is going to happen.
Footnote 245:
The Nemus Dianae at Aricia.
* * * * *
Page 310
V
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano V K. Iun. a. 710_]
A Bruto tabellarius rediit; attulit et ab eo et a Cassio. Consilium meum
magno opere exquirunt, Brutus quidem, utrum de duobus. O rem miseram!
plane non habeo, quid scribam. Itaque silentio puto me usurum, nisi quid
aliud tibi videtur; sin tibi quid venit in mentem, scribe, quaeso.
Cassius vero vehementer orat ac petit, ut Hirtium quam optimum faciam.
Sanum putas? ὁ θησαυρὸς ἄνθρακες.[246] Epistulam tibi misi.
Footnote 246:
ὁ θησαυρὸς ἄνθρακες _Vict._: ΟΤΕΝΑΥϹΔΝΘΡΔΚΕϹ _M_.
Ut tu de provincia Bruti et Cassi per senatus consultum, ita scribit et
Balbus et Oppius. Hirtius quidem se afuturum (etenim iam in Tusculano
est) mihique, ut absim, vehementer auctor est, et ille quidem periculi
causa, quod sibi etiam fuisse dicit, ego autem, etiam ut nullum
periculum sit, tantum abest, ut Antoni suspicionem fugere nunc curem, ne
videar eius secundis rebus non delectari, ut mihi causa ea sit, cur
Romam venire nolim, ne illum videam. Varro autem noster ad me epistulam
misit sibi a nescio quo missam (nomen enim delerat); in qua scriptum
erat veteranos eos, qui reiciantur (nam partem esse dimissam),
improbissime loqui, ut magno periculo Romae sint futuri, qui ab eorum
partibus dissentire videantur. Quis porro noster itus, reditus, vultus,
incessus inter istos? Quodsi, ut scribis,
* * * * *
Page 311
V
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, May 28_, B.C. _44_]
My messenger has returned from Brutus, bringing a letter from him and
from Cassius too. They want my advice badly, and Brutus asks which of
two courses he ought to pursue. Alas! I have not the remotest idea what
to say. So I think I shall keep silent, unless you think I must not. If
anything occurs to you, please write. Cassius, indeed, begs and
beseeches me to make Hirtius as sound as possible. Do you think he is in
his senses? It's fairy gold![247] I am sending his letter.
Footnote 247:
Lit. "the treasure is ashes," a proverbial expression for
disappointment; cf. Lucian, _Zeuxis_, 2: _Timon_, 41.
Balbus and Oppius tell me the same as you about the province to be
assigned by the Senate to Brutus and Cassius, and Hirtius says he will
not attend—he is here at Tusculum—and he strongly advises me to keep
away. He does so on the strength of the danger which he says there has
been even for him; but, even if there be no danger, I am so far from
caring to avoid giving Antony a suspicion that I do not rejoice in his
prosperity, that the very reason why I would rather not go to Rome is to
avoid seeing him. But our friend Varro has sent me a letter from
somebody or other—I don't know who, as he has erased the name—telling
him that the veterans whose claims have been put off (for some of them
have been disbanded) are using most criminal language, saying that those
who seem not to favour their claims will be in great danger at Rome.
What, I should like to know, can our goings and comings, our looks and
our demeanour, be among them? If again, as you say,
* * * * *
Page 312
L. Antonius in D. Brutum, reliqui in nostros, ego quid faciam aut quo me
pacto geram? Mihi vero deliberatum est, ut nunc quidem est, abesse ex ea
urbe, in qua non modo florui cum summa, verum etiam servivi cum aliqua
dignitate; nec tam statui ex Italia exire, de quo tecum deliberabo, quam
istuc non venire.
VI
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. In Tusculano VI K. Iun. vesperi a. 710_]
Cum ad me Brutus noster scripsisset et Cassius, ut Hirtium, qui adhuc
bonus fuisset (sciebam neque eum confidebam fore) mea auctoritate
meliorem facerem (Antonio est enim fortasse iratior, causae vero
amicissimus), tamen ad eum scripsi eique dignitatem Bruti et Cassi
commendavi. Ille quid mihi rescripsisset, scire te volui, si forte idem
tu quod ego existimares, istos etiam nunc vereri, ne forte ipsi nostri
plus animi habeant quam habent.
"HIRTIUS CICERONI SUO SAL.
"Rurene iam redierim, quaeris. An ego, cum omnes caleant, ignaviter
aliquid faciam? Etiam ex urbe sum profectus, utilius enim statui abesse.
Has tibi litteras exiens in Tusculanum scripsi. Noli autem me tam
strenuum putare, ut ad Nonas recurram. Nihil enim iam video opus esse
nostra cura, quoniam
* * * * *
Page 313
L. Antonius is attacking D. Brutus, and the others attacking our
friends, what am I to do and how am I to bear myself? As things are now
I have made up my mind to keep away from a city in which I have not only
been distinguished in the highest position, but have even maintained
some position in servitude. I have not quite made up my mind to leave
Italy, a question which I will discuss with you, so much as not to go to
Rome.
VI
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, May 27_, B.C. _44_]
Our friend Brutus and Cassius had written to me to use my authority to
improve Hirtius' patriotism, since he had at present shown some (I knew
he had, but I doubted if he would continue, for, although he is a little
annoyed with Antony, he is very much devoted to the cause); in spite of
my doubts I wrote to him and commended to his care the maintenance of
Brutus' and Cassius' position. What his answer was I want you to know,
to see whether you think the same as I do, that the Caesarians are even
now afraid our friends have more courage than they really have.
"HIRTIUS TO HIS FRIEND CICERO, GREETING.
"You ask if I have returned from the country. Can I play the laggard,
when all the world is so excited? In fact I have just left the city, for
I thought my absence would be more useful than my presence. This letter
I have written as I set out for Tusculum. Don't think I shall do
anything so energetic as to hurry back for the 5th. I see no need for my
protecting anyone, since proper precautions
* * * * *
Page 314
praesidia sunt in tot annos provisa. Brutus et Cassius utinam, quam
facile a te de me impetrare possunt, ita per te exorentur, ne quod
calidius ineant consilium! Cedentes enim haec ais scripsisse—quo aut
quare? Retine, obsecro te, Cicero, illos, et noli sinere haec omnia
perire, quae funditus medius fidius rapinis, incendiis, caedibus
pervertuntur. Tantum, si quid timent, caveant, nihil praeterea
moliantur. Non medius fidius acerrimis consiliis plus quam etiam
inertissimis, dum modo diligentibus, consequentur. Haec enim, quae
fluunt, per se diuturna non sunt; in contentione praesentes ad nocendum
habent vires. Quid speres de illis, in Tusculanum ad me scribe."
Habes Hirti epistulam. Cui rescripsi nil illos calidius cogitare idque
confirmavi. Hoc, qualecumque esset, te scire volui.
Obsignata iam Balbus ad me Serviliam redisse, confirmare non
discessuros. Nunc exspecto a te litteras.
VII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. In Tusculano V aut IV K. Iun. a. 710_]
Gratum, quod mihi epistulas; quae quidem me delectarunt, in primis Sexti
nostri. Dices: "quia te laudat." Puto mehercule id quoque esse causae,
sed tamen, etiam antequam ad eum locum veni, valde mihi placebat cum
sensus eius de re publica tum genus scribendi. Servius vero pacificator
cum
* * * * *
Page 315
have been taken for so many years. I wish you could obtain a promise
from Brutus and Cassius, not to enter upon any hot-headed scheme, as
easily as you can from me. For you say they wrote what you mention when
on the point of leaving the country. Whither and why? Stop them, I beg
you, Cicero, and do not let everything go to rack and ruin. For upon my
honour things are already being upset by rapine, fire, and slaughter. If
they have any fear, let them take some precaution merely, and not make
any fresh move. Upon my honour they will not accomplish any more by
violent measures than they will by quiet, provided they are careful. The
present unsettled state of affairs cannot last long in the nature of
things; if there is a struggle and they are here, they have power to do
much harm. What your hopes for them are, write and tell me at Tusculum."
There is Hirtius' letter. I answered, affirming that they had no
hot-headed scheme. I wanted you to know this for what it is worth.
Just as I had sealed this Balbus writes to me that Servilia has
returned, and avers that they will not leave Italy. Now I look for a
letter from you.
VII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, May 28 or 29_, B.C. _44_]
Thanks for sending the letters. They have given me much pleasure,
especially that of our friend Sextus. You will say, "Because he praises
you." Upon my word I think that is part of the reason: but even before I
got to that passage I was very much pleased both by his sentiments on
politics and by his style. Servius the peacemaker with a nobody,
* * * * *
Page 316
librariolo suo videtur obisse legationem et omnes captiunculas
pertimescere. Debuerat autem non "ex iure manum consertum," sed quae
sequuntur; tuque scribes.
VIII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano prid. K. Iun. a 710_]
Post tuum discessum binas a Balbo (nihil novi) itemque ab Hirtio, qui se
scribit vehementer offensum esse veteranis. Exspectat animus, quidnam
agam de K. Misi igitur Tironem et cum Tirone plures, quibus singulis, ut
quicque accidisset, dares litteras, atque etiam scripsi ad Antonium de
legatione, ne, si ad Dolabellam solum scripsissem, iracundus homo
commoveretur. Quod autem aditus ad eum difficilior esse dicitur, scripsi
ad Eutrapelum, ut is ei meas litteras redderet. Legatione mihi opus
esse. Honestior est votiva, sed licet uti utraque.
De te, quaeso, etiam atque etiam vide. Velim possis coram; si minus,
litteris idem consequemur. Graeceius ad me scripsit C. Cassium sibi
scripsisse homines comparari, qui armati in Tusculanum mitterentur. Id
quidem mihi non videbatur; sed cavendum tamen tutelaeque plures
videndae. Sed aliquid crastinus dies ad cogitandum nobis dabit.
* * * * *
Page 317
his secretary, seems to have undertaken an embassy and to be on his
guard against all the quips and quiddities of the law. But he ought to
realize that it is not a case of "joining hands in legal claim," but of
what follows."[248] Please write.
Footnote 248:
The quotation from Ennius continues: _sed magi ferro Rem repetunt_.
What Servius Sulpicius was undertaking is uncertain; possibly to patch
up peace between Antony and Caesar's murderers.
VIII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, May 31_, B.C. _44_]
After you had left came two letters from Balbus, with no news in them,
and one from Hirtius, who says he is very annoyed with the veterans. My
mind is still anxious about what I shall do about the 1st. So I have
sent Tiro and some men with him—please give them letters one by one, as
things happen—and I have written to Antony about the legation, for fear
that, if I had written only to Dolabella, his quick temper might be
aroused. But, as it is said to be rather difficult to get an audience
with him, I have written to Eutrapelus, so that he may deliver my
letter. I must have an embassy: a votive embassy is more honourable, but
I could use either.
Your own position, I beg you, review most carefully. I wish we could do
so together; if not, we must accomplish it by letters. Graeceius has
written to me that he has heard from Cassius that armed men are being
got ready to be sent to my house at Tusculum. I don't think that is the
case; but still I must take care to have more safeguards ready. But
to-morrow may give us some food for reflection.
* * * * *
Page 318
IX
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano IV Non. Iun. a. 710_]
IIII Non. vesperi a Balbo redditae mihi litterae fore Nonis senatum, ut
Brutus in Asia, Cassius in Sicilia frumentum emendum et ad urbem
mittendum curarent. O rem miseram! primum ullam ab istis, dein, si
aliquam, hanc legatoriam provinciam! Atque haud scio an melius sit quam
ad Eurotam sedere. Sed haec casus gubernabit. Ait autem eodem tempore
decretum iri, ut et iis et reliquis praetoriis provinciae decernantur.
Hoc certe melius quam illa Περσικὴ porticus; nolo enim Lacedaemonem
longinquiorem quam Lanuvium existimare. "Rides," inquies, "in talibus
rebus?" Quid faciam? plorando fessus sum.
Di inmortales! quam me conturbatum tenuit epistulae tuae prior pagina!
quid autem iste in domo tua casus armorum? Sed hunc quidem nimbum cito
transisse laetor. Tu quid egeris tua cum tristi tum etiam difficili ad
consiliandum legatione, vehementer exspecto; est enim inexplicabilis.
Ita circumsedemur copiis omnibus. Me quidem Bruti litterae, quas
ostendis a te lectas, ita perturbarunt, ut, quamquam ante egebam
consilio, tamen animi dolore sim tardior. Sed plura, cum ista cognoro.
Hoc autem tempore
* * * * *
Page 319
IX
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, June 2_, B.C. _44_]
On the evening of the 2nd I received a letter from Balbus telling me
there would be a meeting of the Senate on the 5th to send Brutus to
Asia, and Cassius to Sicily, to buy corn and send it to Rome. What a
shame! First that they should take any office from that party, and
secondly, if any, that it should be this subordinate[249] position.
Still, I don't know whether it is not better than for him to sit on the
banks of his Eurotas.[250] But fate must have its way in this. He says
that at the same time a decree will be passed assigning provinces to
them and other ex-praetors. This is certainly better than his Persian
porch. For I don't want you to think I am referring to a Sparta farther
off than Lanuvium. "You can jest," you will say, "in such important
matters?" What am I to do? I am tired of mourning.
Footnote 249:
Lit. "which could be delegated to _legati_."
Footnote 250:
Brutus apparently called a stream on his estate at Lanuvium "Eurotas,"
and a building there the "Persian porch," after the river Eurotas and
the στοὰ Περσικὴ at Sparta.
Good God! how the first page of your note held me transfixed with
horror! How did that violent brawl happen in your house? But I am glad
this cloud passed away quickly. I am very eager to know how you have
fared with your sad and very difficult conciliatory mission; for the
knot cannot be unravelled. We are so surrounded by force of every kind.
Brutus' letter, which you show that you have read, has so disturbed me,
that, undecided as I was before, my sorrow makes me still slower at
making up my mind. But I will write more when I have news from you. At
present I have nothing to write,
* * * * *
Page 320
quod scriberem, nihil erat eoque minus, quod dubitabam, tu has ipsas
litteras essesne accepturus. Erat enim incertum, visurusne te esset
tabellarius. Ego tuas litteras vehementer exspecto.
X
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano Non. Iun. aut postridie a. 710_]
O Bruti amanter scriptas litteras! o iniquum tuum tempus, qui ad eum ire
non possis! Ego autem quid scribam? ut beneficio istorum utantur? Quid
turpius? Ut moliantur aliquid? Nec audent nec iam possunt. Age,
quiescant auctoribus nobis; quis incolumitatem praestat? Si vero aliquid
de Decimo gravius, quae nostris vita, etiamsi nemo molestus sit? ludos
vero non facere! quid foedius? frumentum imponere! quae est alia Dionis
legatio aut quod munus in re publica sordidius? Prorsus quidem consilia
tali in re ne iis quidem tuta sunt, qui dant; sed possim id neglegere
proficiens; frustra vero qui ingrediar? Matris consilio cum utatur vel
etiam precibus, quid me interponam? Sed tamen cogitabo, quo genere utar
litterarum; nam silere non possum. Statim igitur mittam vel Antium vel
Circeios.
* * * * *
Page 321
especially as I have doubts as to whether you may get this letter. For
it is uncertain whether the messenger may see you. I am looking for a
letter from you very eagerly.
X
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, June 5 or 6_, B.C. _44_]
What an affectionate letter from Brutus! And what hard luck that you
cannot go to him! But what am I to say? That they should accept the
other party's favours? That were the depth of shame. That they should
try some new move? They dare not, and now they cannot. Well, suppose I
advise them to keep quiet and they do, who can guarantee their safety?
Indeed, if anything unpleasant happens to Decimus, what sort of life
shall we lead, even if no one molests us? It is a sad disgrace not to
preside at the games.[251] Fancy putting the burden of the corn-supply
on them! What is this but promotion downwards,[252] and what state
office is more contemptible? To give advice in such matters is certainly
quite unsafe, even for those who give it. If I were doing good, I might
overlook that; but why should I put my foot in it to no purpose? Since
he is following his mother's advice, or rather her supplications, why
should I interfere? However, I will consider what kind of letter I can
write, for I must give some answer. So I will write at once either to
Antium or to Circeii.
Footnote 251:
Brutus as _praetor urbanus_ ought to have presided at the Ludi
Apollinares, but fearing to go to Rome he left it to a colleague Gaius
Antonius.
Footnote 252:
The banishment of Dion from Syracuse by the younger Dionysius under
the pretext of an embassy seems to have passed into a proverb in this
sense.
* * * * *
Page 322
XI
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Antiati a. d. VI Id. Iun a. 710_]
Antium veni a. d. VI Idus. Bruto iucundus noster adventus. Deinde multis
audientibus, Servilia, Tertulla, Porcia, quaerere, quid placeret. Aderat
etiam Favonius. Ego, quod eram meditatus in via, suadere, ut uteretur
Asiatica curatione frumenti; nihil esse iam reliqui, quod ageremus, nisi
ut salvus esset; in eo etiam ipsi rei publicae esse praesidium. Quam
orationem cum ingressus essem, Cassius intervenit. Ego eadem illa
repetivi. Hoc loco fortibus sane oculis Cassius (Martem spirare diceres)
se in Siciliam non iturum. "Egone ut beneficium accepissem contumeliam?"
"Quid ergo agis?" inquam. At ille in Achaiam se iturum. "Quid tu,"
inquam, "Brute?" "Romam," inquit, "si tibi videtur." "Mihi vero minime;
tuto enim non eris." "Quid? si possem esse, placeretne?" "Atque ut
omnino neque nunc neque ex praetura in provinciam ires; sed auctor non
sum, ut te urbi committas." Dicebam ea, quae tibi profecto in mentem
veniunt, cur non esset tuto futurus. Multo inde sermone querebantur,
atque id quidem Cassius maxime, amissas occasiones Decimumque graviter
accusabant. Ego negabam oportere praeterita, adsentiebar tamen. Cumque
ingressus essem dicere, quid oportuisset, nec vero quicquam novi, sed
ea,
* * * * *
Page 323
XI
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Antium, June 8_, B.C. _44_]
I reached Antium on the 8th. Brutus was very glad to see me. Then before
Servilia, Tertulla, Porcia,[253] and a lot of others, he asked me for my
opinion. Favonius was present too. I had made up my mind on the journey,
and advised him to accept the control of the corn supply from Asia:
there was nothing else for us to do now except to keep him out of
danger: by so doing we should have some safeguard for the republic too.
When I was in the midst of my speech, in came Cassius. I said the same
over again. Whereupon Cassius, with flashing eyes and fairly breathing
war, declared he would not go to Sicily. "Am I to take an insult like a
favour?" "What will you do then?" I asked; and he said he would go to
Achaia. "What of you, Brutus," I said. "To Rome," he answered, "if you
think I ought." "I don't think so at all, for you won't be safe." "Well,
if it were possible to be there in safety, would you approve?" "Yes, I
would rather you did not go to a province either now or after your
praetorship; but I don't advise you to trust yourself in Rome." I gave
him the reasons that will occur to you, why it would not be safe. Then
they kept on bewailing the chances that had been let slip, especially
Cassius, and they complained bitterly of Decimus. I said they ought not
to harp on the past, but I agreed with them. When I had gone on to
explain what ought to have been done, saying nothing new, but what
everybody is saying daily,
Footnote 253:
Respectively mother, half-sister, and second wife of Brutus.
* * * * *
Page 324
quae cotidie omnes, nec tamen illum locum attingerem, quemquam praeterea
oportuisse tangi, sed senatum vocari, populum ardentem studio
vehementius incitari, totam suscipi rem publicam, exclamat tua
familiaris: "Hoc vero neminem umquam audivi!" Ego repressi. Sed et
Cassius mihi videbatur iturus (etenim Servilia pollicebatur se
curaturam, ut illa frumenti curatio de senatus consulto tolleretur), et
noster cito deiectus est de illo inani sermone quo Romae[254] velle esse
dixerat. Constituit igitur, ut ludi absente se fierent suo nomine.
Proficisci autem mihi in Asiam videbatur ab Antio velle. Ne multa, nihil
me in illo itinere praeter conscientiam meam delectavit. Non enim fuit
committendum, ut ille ex Italia, priusquam a me conventus esset,
discederet. Hoc dempto munere amoris atque officii sequebatur, ut mecum
ipse:
Footnote 254:
quo Romae _added by Tyrrell_.
"Ἡ δεῦρ' ὁδός σοι τί δύναται νῦν, θεοπρόπε;"
Prorsus dissolutum offendi navigium vel potius dissipatum. Nihil
consilio, nihil ratione, nihil ordine. Itaque, etsi ne antea quidem
dubitavi, tamen nunc eo minus evolare hinc idque quam primum,
"ubi nec Pélopidarum fácta neque famam aúdiam."
Et heus tu! ne forte sis nescius, Dolabella me sibi legavit a. d. IIII
Nonas. Id mihi heri vesperi nuntiatum
* * * * *
Page 325
and not touching on the point as to whether anyone else ought to have
been attacked, but saying that the Senate ought to have been called, the
people in their violent excitement ought to have been roused to fury,
and the whole conduct of affairs taken over by them, your friend
Servilia exclaimed: "That I never heard anyone...." I interrupted her.
But I think Cassius will go (for Servilia promises she will see that
that appointment to the corn-supply shall be withdrawn from the
senatorial decree): and our friend soon gave up his silly talk of
wanting to go to Rome. So he has made up his mind that the games may be
held in his absence under his name. I fancy, however, he wants to set
out for Asia from Antium. To cut the matter short, I got nothing that
satisfied me out of that journey except the satisfaction to my
conscience. For I could not allow him to leave Italy before I had met
him. Save for fulfilling the duty I owed to our affection, I could not
help asking myself:
"What makest thou with thy journey hither, seer?"[255]
Footnote 255:
The author of this line, which is quoted again in _Att._ XVI. 6, is
unknown.
In fact I found a ship breaking up, or rather already in wreckage. No
plan, no reason, no system. So, although I had no doubt even before, now
I have still less that I must fly away from here as fast as possible,
"Where I may hear no bruit of Pelops' sons."[256]
Footnote 256:
From the _Pelops_ of Accius.
And listen to this, if you have not heard it before: Dolabella has made
me one of his legates on the 2nd of June. That I was told yesterday
evening.
* * * * *
Page 326
est. Votiva ne tibi quidem placebat; etenim erat absurdum, quae, si
stetisset res publica, vovissem, ea me eversa illa vota dissolvere. Et
habent, opinor, liberae legationes definitum tempus lege Iulia, nec
facile addi potest. Aveo genus legationis, ut, cum velis, introire,
exire liceat; quod nunc mihi additum est. Bella est autem huius iuris
quinquennii licentia. Quamquam quid de quinquennio cogitem? Contrahi
mihi negotium videtur. Sed βλάσφημα mittamus.
XII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Antiati V aut IV Id. Iun. a. 710_]
Bene mehercule de Buthroto. At ego Tironem ad Dolabellam cum litteris,
quia iusseras, miseram. Quid nocet? De nostris autem Antiatibus satis
videbar plane scripsisse, ut non dubitares, quin essent otiosi futuri,
usurique beneficio Antoni contumelioso. Cassius frumentariam rem
aspernabatur; eam Servilia sublaturam ex senatus consulto se esse
dicebat. Noster vero καὶ μάλα σεμνῶς in Asiam, posteaquam mihi est
adsensus tuto se Romae esse non posse (ludos enim absens facere
malebat), statim ait se iturum, simul ac ludorum apparatum iis, qui
curaturi essent, tradidisset. Navigia colligebat; erat animus in cursu.
Interea in isdem locis erant futuri. Brutus quidem se aiebat Asturae. L.
quidem Antonius liberaliter litteris sine cura me esse iubet. Habeo unum
beneficium, alterum fortasse, si in Tusculanum venerit.
* * * * *
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Even you did not like the idea of a votive legation; for indeed it was
absurd for me to be fulfilling vows after the constitution was
overthrown, which I had made in case it were maintained. I fancy, too,
free legations have a limit of time set by one of Caesar's laws, and it
is not easy to get it prolonged. I want the kind of legation that lets
you come and go as you please, and that I have got now. It is a fine
thing, too, to have the privilege for five years. Though why do I think
of five years? Things seem to me to be drawing to a crisis: but _absit
omen_.
XII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Antium, June 9 or 10_, B.C. _44_]
That's jolly good news about Buthrotum. But I had sent Tiro to Dolabella
with a letter as you bade me. What harm is there in it? About our
friends at Antium, I think I wrote plainly enough for you not to doubt
that they are going to take things quietly and accept Antonius'
insulting favour. Cassius rejects the corn-supply job, and Servilia says
she will cut it out of the senatorial decree. Our friend is taking
things very seriously, now he agrees with me that he cannot be safe in
Rome (for he prefers the games to take place in his absence). He says he
will go to Asia at once, as soon as he has handed over the management of
the games to those who will attend to it. He is collecting vessels, and
his heart is set on going. Meantime they will stay in the same places.
Brutus says he will be at Astura. L. Antonius has sent a kind letter
telling me to have no fear. That's one thing I have to thank him for;
perhaps there will be another, if he comes to
* * * * *
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O negotia non ferenda! quae feruntur tamen. Τῶνδε αἰτίαν τῶν Βρούτων τίς
ἔχει; In Octaviano, ut perspexi, satis ingenii, satis animi,
videbaturque erga nostros ἥρωας ita fore, ut nos vellemus, animatus. Sed
quid aetati credendum sit, quid nomini, quid hereditati, quid κατηχήσει,
magni consilii est. Vitricus quidem nihil censebat; quem Asturae
vidimus. Sed tamen alendus est, et, ut nihil aliud, ab Antonio
seiungendus. Marcellus praeclare, si praecipit nostro nostra. Cui quidem
ille deditus mihi videbatur. Pansae autem et Hirtio non nimis credebat.
Bona indoles, ἐὰν διαμείνῃ.
XIII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Puteolano VIII K. Nov. a. 710_]
VIII Kal. duas a te accepi epistulas. Respondebo igitur priori prius.
Adsentior tibi, ut nec duces simus nec agmen cogamus, faveamus tamen.
Orationem tibi misi. Eius custodiendae et proferendae arbitrium tuum.
Sed quando illum diem, cum tu edendam putes? Indutias quas scribis, non
intellego fieri posse. Melior est ἀναντιφωνησία; qua me usurum arbitror.
Quod scribis legiones duas Brundisium venisse, vos omnia prius. Scribes
igitur, quicquid audieris. Varronis διάλογον exspecto. Iam probo
Ἡρακλείδειον, praesertim cum tu tanto opere delectere;
* * * * *
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Tusculum. What intolerable nuisances! Yet we put up with them. Which of
the Bruti have we to thank for this? In Octavianus, as I have observed,
there is plenty of wit and plenty of spirit, and he seems likely to be
as well disposed to our heroes as we could wish. But it is a grave
question how far we can trust one of his age, name, heritage, and
bringing up. His father-in-law, whom I saw at Astura, thinks he is not
to be trusted at all. However, we must look after him, and, if nothing
else, dissociate him from Antonius. Marcellus will be doing well if he
inculcates our views into Brutus, to whom Octavianus seems to be well
affected. In Pansa and Hirtius, however, he has but little trust. His
disposition is good, if it will last.
XIII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Puteoli, Oct. 25_, B.C. _44_]
On the 25th I received two letters from you. So I will answer the former
first. I agree with you that we need not be the first to move nor the
last to follow, but that we should incline to Brutus' side. I have sent
you my speech,[257] and leave it to you to keep it or publish it. But
when shall we see the day when you will think it right to publish it? I
don't understand how the truce you mention can be possible. It is better
to make no reply; and that, I think, is what I shall do. You say that
two legions have arrived at Brundisium: you get all the news first. So
you must write whatever you hear. I am expecting Varro's dialogue.[258]
I agree now about writing something in Heracleides' style,[259]
especially as you like it
Footnote 257:
The _Second Philippic_, an answer to Antony's speech of September 19,
never actually delivered by Cicero.
Footnote 258:
A promised dialogue in which Cicero was to take part, or which was to
be dedicated to him.
Footnote 259:
Cf. XV. 4.
* * * * *
Page 330
sed, quale velis, velim scire. Quod ad te antea atque adeo prius scripsi
(sic enim mavis), ad scribendum (licet enim[260] tibi vere dicere)
fecisti me acriorem. Ad tuum enim iudicium, quod mihi erat notum,
addidisti Peducaei auctoritatem, magnam quidem apud me et in primis
gravem. Enitar igitur, ne desideres aut industriam meam aut diligentiam.
Vettienum, ut scribis, et Faberium foveo. Clodium nihil arbitror
malitiose; quamquam—sed quod egerit. De libertate retinenda, qua certe
nihil est dulcius, tibi adsentior. Itane Gallo Caninio? O hominem
nequam! quid enim dicam aliud? Cautum Marcellum! me sic, sed non tamen
cautissimum.
Footnote 260:
licet enim _added by Lehmann_.
Longiori epistulae superiorique respondi. Nunc breviori propiorique quid
respondeam, nisi eam fuisse dulcissimam? Res Hispanienses valde bonae,
modo Balbilium incolumem videam, subsidium nostrae senectutis. De
Anniano idem, quod me valde observat Visellia. Sed haec quidem humana.
De Bruto te nihil scire dicis, sed Servilia venisse M. Scaptium, eumque
non qua pompa adsuevisset, ad se tamen clam venturum sciturumque me
omnia; quae ego statim. Interea narrat eadem Bassi servum venisse, qui
nuntiaret legiones Alexandrinas in armis esse, Bassum arcessi, Cassium
exspectari. Quid quaeris? videtur res publica ius suum recuperatura. Sed
ne
* * * * *
Page 331
so much; but I will write whatever you wish. As I told you before, or
rather previously, as you prefer to say, I must confess you have made me
more eager to write. For to your own opinion, which I knew, you have
added Peducaeus' authority, which I count great and as weighty as any.
So I will make an effort not to disappoint you in my industry or
diligence. I am making much of Vettienus and Faberius, as you suggest. I
don't think Clodius meant any harm, though—but it is nothing to me.[261]
I agree with you about preserving our liberty, our most precious
possession. So it is Gallus Caninius' turn now?[262] What a knave! For
what else can one call him? How cautious Marcellus is. So am I, but not
overcautious.
Footnote 261:
After _quod egerit_ some such words as _id actum habebo_ must be
supplied. On this phrase, which occurs several times in Cicero's
letters, cf. Lehmann, _De epp. ad Atticum recensendis_, 1892, p. 189.
Footnote 262:
From _Att._ XVI. 14 it appears that Gallus had just died. Probably
Antony, to whom the next words apparently refer, threatened to
confiscate his property.
I have answered your longer and earlier letter. Now what can I say to
the shorter and more recent, except that it was most delightful? Affairs
in Spain are going really well, if only I can see Balbilius in safety as
a support for our old age. About Annianus[263] I agree, as Visellia is
very polite to me. But that is the way of the world. You say you know
nothing of Brutus, but Servilia says M. Scaptius has come, and that
without any of his usual parade, and he will pay her a visit quietly,
and I shall be told everything. I shall know soon. Meantime she says a
slave of Bassus has come announcing that the legions in Alexandria are
in arms, that Bassus has been summoned, and Cassius is expected with
eagerness. In short it looks as though the republic was going to recover
its rights. But don't let us anticipate. You
Footnote 263:
Or "the estate of Annius," as Shuckburgh.
* * * * *
Page 332
quid ante. Nosti horum exercitationem in latrocinio et amentiam.
Dolabella, vir optimus, etsi, cum scribebam secunda mensa adposita,
venisse eum ad Baias audiebam, tamen ad me ex Formiano scripsit, quas
litteras, cum e balineo exissem, accepi, sese de attributione omnia
summa fecisse. Vettienum accusat (tricatur scilicet ut monetalis), sed
ait totum negotium Sestium nostrum suscepisse, optimum quidem illum
virum nostrique amantissimum. Quaero autem, quid tandem Sestius in hac
re facere possit, quod non quivis nostrum. Sed, si quid praeter spem
erit, facies, ut sciam; sin est, ut arbitror, negotium perditum, scribes
tamen, neque ista res commovebit.
Nos hic φιλοσοφοῦμεν (quid enim aliud?) et τὰ περὶ τοῦ καθήκοντος
magnifice explicamus προσφωνοῦμενque Ciceroni; qua de re enim potius
pater filio? Deinde alia. Quid quaeris? exstabit opera peregrinationis
huius. Varronem hodie aut cras venturum putabant; ego autem in
Pompeianum properabam, non quo hoc loco quicquam pulchrius, sed
interpellatores illic minus molesti. Sed perscribe, quaeso, quae causa
sit Myrtilo (poenas quidem illum pependisse audivi), et satisne pateat,
unde corruptus.
Haec cum scriberem, tantum quod existimabam ad te orationem esse
perlatam. Hui, quam timeo, quid existimes! Etsi quid ad me? quae non sit
foras proditura nisi re publica recuperata. De quo quid sperem, non
audeo scribere.
* * * * *
Page 333
know what practice that lot have had in rascality, and how reckless they
are.
That pretty fellow Dolabella has written to me from Formiae, though,
when I was writing this letter at dessert, I heard he had arrived at
Baiae, and I got his letter as I left my bath. He says he has done his
level best about assigning debts to me. He blames Vettienus—of course he
is up to some dodge like a true business man—but he says Sestius, who is
a very honest fellow and a good friend of mine, has undertaken the whole
affair. Still, I should like to know what on earth Sestius can do in
this business that any of us could not have done. But if anything does
happen contrary to my expectation, you must let me know; while, if it
is, as I suspect, a hopeless business, write all the same: it will not
disturb me.
I am philosophizing here (what else can I do?) and getting on splendidly
with my _De Officiis_, which I am dedicating to my son. A father could
not choose a more appropriate subject. Then I shall turn to other
subjects. In fact this excursion will have some works to show for
itself. Varro is expected either to-day or to-morrow; but I am hastening
to Pompeii, not that anything could be prettier than this place, but I
shall be less bothered by interruptions there. But please inform me what
the charge was against Myrtilus,[264] for I hear he has been executed,
and whether it has come out who suborned him.
Footnote 264:
Cf. _Att._ XVI. 11. He was accused of attempting to murder Antony.
As I am writing this, it just occurs to me that my speech is being
delivered to you. How I fear your judgment on it! Though what does it
matter to me, as it will not be published, unless the constitution is
restored? And what hope I have of that I dare not say.
* * * * *
Page 334
XIV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano V K. Quint. a. 710_]
VI Kalend. accepi a Dolabella litteras. Quarum exemplum tibi misi. In
quibus erat omnia se fecisse, quae tu velles. Statim ei rescripsi et
multis verbis gratias egi. Sed tamen, ne miraretur, cur idem iterum
facerem, hoc causae sumpsi, quod ex te ipso coram antea nihil potuissem
cognoscere. Sed quid multa? litteras hoc exemplo dedi:
"CICERO DOLABELLAE COS. SUO.
"Antea cum litteris Attici nostri de tua summa liberalitate summoque
erga se beneficio certior factus essem, cumque tu ipse etiam ad me
scripsisses te fecisse ea, quae nos voluissemus, egi tibi gratias per
litteras iis verbis, ut intellegeres nihil te mihi gratius facere
potuisse. Postea vero quam ipse Atticus ad me venit in Tusculanum huius
unius rei causa, tibi ut apud me gratias ageret, cuius eximiam quandam
et admirabilem in causa Buthrotia voluntatem et singularem erga se
amorem perspexisset, teneri non potui, quin tibi apertius illud idem his
litteris declararem. Ex omnibus enim, mi Dolabella, studiis in me et
officiis, quae summa sunt, hoc scito mihi et amplissimum videri et
gratissimum esse, quod perfeceris, ut Atticus intellegeret, quantum ego
te, quantum tu me amares. Quod reliquum est, Buthrotiam et causam et
civitatem, quamquam a te constituta est (beneficia autem nostra tueri
solemus),
* * * * *
Page 335
XIV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, June 27_, B.C. _44_]
On the 26th I received a letter from Dolabella, and I am sending you a
copy of it. In it he says he has done everything you wanted. I answered
at once, thanking him profusely. However, to prevent his wondering why I
should do so twice, I gave as a reason that I had not been able to get
any information from you before when I met you. But, to cut it short,
here is a copy of my letter:—
"CICERO TO HIS FRIEND DOLABELLA THE CONSUL.
"Once before, when our friend Atticus had informed me by letter of your
great liberality and the great kindness you had shown him, and when you
yourself had written that you had done all that we wished, I sent you my
thanks couched in such terms that you might understand that you had done
me the greatest favour. But afterwards, when Atticus came himself to me
at Tusculum solely to declare his gratitude to you, as he had observed
your remarkable and indeed wonderful kindness in the matter of the
people of Buthrotum and your strong affection for himself, I could not
help expressing my thanks again more clearly in this letter. For of all
the favours and services you have done for me, and they are
overwhelming, my dear Dolabella, let me assure you that the highest and
the most gratifying is, that you have shown Atticus how great my
affection is for you, and yours for me. For the rest, as one generally
wishes to secure favours received, though the case of Buthrotum and its
existence as a city have been set on a firm footing by you, I
* * * * *
Page 336
tamen velim receptam in fidem tuam a meque etiam atque etiam tibi
commendatam auctoritate et auxilio tuo tectam velis esse. Satis erit in
perpetuum Buthrotiis praesidii, magnaque cura et sollicitudine Atticum
et me liberaris, si hoc honoris mei causa susceperis, ut eos semper a te
defenses velis. Quod ut facias, te vehementer etiam atque etiam rogo."
His litteris scriptis me ad συντάξεις dedi; quae quidem vereor ne
miniata cerula tua pluribus locis notandae sint. Ita sum μετέωρος et
magnis cogitationibus impeditus.
XV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Antiati Id. Iun. a. 710_]
L. Antonio male sit, si quidem Buthrotiis molestus est! Ego testimonium
composui, quod, cum voles, obsignabitur. Nummos Arpinatium, si L. Fadius
aedilis petet, vel omnes reddito. Ego ad te alia epistula scripsi de HS
¯CX¯, quae Statio curarentur. Si ergo petet Fadius, ei volo reddi,
praeter Fadium nemini. Apud me idem puto depositum. Id scripsi ad Erotem
ut redderet.
Reginam odi. Id me iure facere scit sponsor promissorum eius Ammonius,
quae quidem erant φιλόλογα et dignitatis meae, ut vel in contione dicere
auderem. Saran autem, praeterquam quod nefarium hominem, cognovi
praeterea in me contumacem. Semel eum omnino domi meae vidi. Cum
φιλοφρόνως
* * * * *
Page 337
should like you to use your authority and your power to protect it, as
it was put in your care and repeatedly recommended to you by me. That
will be sufficient to safeguard Buthrotum for ever, and, if in
compliment to me you will undertake to see them always protected, you
will relieve Atticus and me of a great care and anxiety: and this I beg
and entreat you to do."
After finishing this letter I have devoted myself to my treatise. I fear
you will run your red pencil under many passages in it. I have been so
distracted and hindered by weighty thoughts.
XV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Antium, June 13_, B.C. _44_]
Hang L. Antonius if he is obnoxious to the Buthrotians. I have drawn up
a deposition, which shall be signed whenever you like. If the aedile L.
Fadius asks for the money belonging to the people of Arpinum, pay it him
back in full. In another letter I mentioned the 1,000 guineas to be paid
to Statius. Well, if Fadius asks for them, I wish them to be paid to
him, but to no one else. I think it was deposited with me. I have
written to Eros to pay it.
I detest Cleopatra; and the voucher for her promises, Ammonius, knows I
have good reason to do so. Her promises were all things that had to do
with learning and not derogatory to my dignity, so I could have
mentioned them even in a public speech. Sara, besides being a knave, I
have noticed is also impertinent to me. Once, and only once, have I
* * * * *
Page 338
ex eo quaererem, quid opus esset, Atticum se dixit quaerere. Superbiam
autem ipsius reginae, cum esset trans Tiberim in hortis, commemorare
sine magno dolore non possum. Nihil igitur cum istis; nec tam animum me
quam vix stomachum habere arbitrantur.
Profectionem meam, ut video, Erotis dispensatio impedit. Nam, cum ex
reliquis, quae Nonis Aprilibus fecit, abundare debeam, cogor mutuari,
quodque ex istis fructuosis rebus receptum est, id ego ad illud fanum
sepositum putabam. Sed haec Tironi mandavi, quem ob eam causam Romam
misi; te nolui impeditum impedire. Cicero noster quo modestior est, eo
me magis commovet. Ad me enim de hac re nihil scripsit, ad quem nimirum
potissimum debuit; scripsit hoc autem ad Tironem, sibi post Kalend.
Apriles (sic enim annuum tempus confici) nihil datum esse. Tibi pro tua
natura semper placuisse teque existimasse scio, id etiam ad dignitatem
meam pertinere eum non modo liberaliter a nobis, sed etiam ornate
cumulateque tractari. Quare velim cures (nec tibi essem molestus, si per
alium hoc agere possem), ut permutetur Athenas, quod sit in annuum
sumptum ei. Scilicet Eros numerabit. Eius rei causa Tironem misi.
Curabis igitur et ad me, si quid tibi de eo videbitur, scribes.
* * * * *
Page 339
seen him in my house; and then, when I asked politely what he wanted, he
said he wanted Atticus. But the insolence of the queen herself, when she
was in her villa across the river, I cannot mention without great
indignation. So no dealings with them. They don't credit me with any
spirit or even any feelings at all.
My departure from Italy I see is hindered by Eros' management of my
affairs. For, although from the balances he made on April 5 I ought to
have plenty of cash, I have to borrow, and I think the receipts from
those paying concerns are set aside for the shrine. But I have given
Tiro orders about this, and am sending him to Rome on purpose. I did not
want to add to your worries. The more moderate in his demands my son is,
the more am I concerned about him. For he has not mentioned this point
to me, the person of all others to whom of course he ought to have
mentioned it; but in a letter to Tiro he said I had sent him nothing
since April 1, which was the end of his financial year. Now I know that
you, with your usual amiability, have always agreed and indeed thought
that among other things my dignity demanded that he should be treated
not only liberally, but even with excessive and extravagant liberality.
So I should like you to see that he has a bill of exchange for his
annual allowance payable at Athens. I would not trouble you, if I could
manage it through anyone else. Eros, of course, will pay you. That is
why I have sent Tiro. Please see about it and let me know if you have
any views on the point.
* * * * *
Page 340
XVI
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Antiati III aut prid. Id. Iun. a. 710_]
Tandem a Cicerone tabellarius, et mehercule litterae πεπινωμένως
scriptae, quod ipsum προκοπὴν aliquam significat, itemque ceteri
praeclara scribunt; Leonides tamen retinet suum illud "adhuc," summis
vero laudibus Herodes. Quid quaeris? vel verba mihi dari facile patior
in hoc, meque libenter praebeo credulum. Tu velim, si quid tibi est a
Statio scriptum, quod pertineat ad me, certiorem me facias.
XVIa
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati XIV aut XIII K. Iun. a. 710_]
Narro tibi, haec loca venusta sunt, abdita certe, et, si quid scribere
velis, ab arbitris libera. Sed nescio quo modo οἶκος φίλος. Itaque me
referunt pedes in Tusculanum. Et tamen haec ῥωπογραφία ripulae videtur
habitura celerem satietatem. Equidem etiam pluvias metuo, si Prognostica
nostra vera sunt; ranae enim ῥητορεύουσιν. Tu, quaeso, fac sciam, ubi
Brutum nostrum et quo die videre possim.
XVII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Antiati postr. Id. Iun. a. 710_]
Duas accepi postridie Idus, alteram eo die datam, alteram Idibus. Prius
igitur superiori. De D. Bruto, cum scies. De consulum ficto timore
cognoveram.
* * * * *
Page 341
XVI
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Antium, June 11 or 12_, B.C. _44_]
At last a messenger from my son, and upon my word a letter written in
first class style. That itself shows some advance, and other people send
most favourable reports too. Leonides, however, still sticks to his "at
present,"[265] while Herodes bestows the highest praise. Indeed, in this
respect I gladly allow myself even to be hoodwinked, and am not sorry to
be credulous. I should like you to let me know if Statius has written
anything that concerns me.
Footnote 265:
Cf. _Att._ XIV. 16.
XVIa
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum, May 19 or 20_, B.C. _44_]
I tell you what, this place is lovely, and certainly it is retired and
free from overlookers, if you want to write. But somehow or other
there's no place like home.[266] So my feet are carrying me back to
Tusculum. And after all the tameness of this bit of coast would
probably soon cloy on one. Besides, I am afraid of rain, if our
_Prognostics_[267] are right, for the frogs are holding forth. Please
let me know where Brutus is and when I can see him.
Footnote 266:
Apparently a proverb.
Footnote 267:
Cicero translated the _Prognostica_ of Aratus into Latin verse.
XVII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Antias, June 14_, B.C. _44_]
I received two letters on the 14th, one dated the same day, one the day
before. So I answer the earlier first. Tell me about D. Brutus, when you
know. I had heard of the pretended terror of the consuls.[268]
Footnote 268:
They were afraid of violence on the part of Brutus and Cassius.
* * * * *
Page 342
Sicca enim φιλοστόργως ille quidem, sed tumultuosius ad me etiam illam
suspicionem pertulit. Quid tu autem? "τὰ μὲν διδόμενα ——"? Nullum enim
verbum a Siregio. Non placet. De Plaetorio, vicino tuo, permoleste tuli
quemquam prius audisse quam me. De Syro prudenter. L. Antonium per
Marcum fratrem, ut arbitror, facillime deterrebis. Antroni vetui; sed
nondum acceperas litteras, ne cuiquam nisi L. Fadio aedili. Aliter enim
nec caute nec iure fieri potest. Quod scribis tibi desse HS ¯C¯, quae
Ciceroni curata sint, velim ab Erote quaeras, ubi sit merces insularum.
Arabioni de Sittio nihil irascor. Ego de itinere nisi explicato Λ nihil
cogito; quod idem tibi videri puto. Habes ad superiorem.
Nunc audi ad alteram. Tu vero facis ut omnia, quod Serviliae non dees,
id est Bruto. De regina gaudeo te non laborare, testem etiam tibi
probari. Erotis rationes et ex Tirone cognovi et vocavi ipsum.
Gratissimum, quod polliceris Ciceroni nihil defuturum; de quo mirabilia
Messalla, qui Lanuvio rediens ab illis venit ad me, et mehercule ipsius
litterae sic et φιλοστόργως et πεπινωμένως scriptae, ut eas vel in
acroasi audeam legere. Quo magis illi indulgendum puto. De Buciliano
Sestium puto non moleste ferre. Ego, si Tiro ad me, cogito in
Tusculanum. Tu vero, quicquid erit, quod me scire par sit, statim.
* * * * *
Page 343
For Sicca, in a very friendly but rather panic-stricken manner, has
brought me word of that suspicion too. What do you say? "Take what the
gods give"?[269] For I have not a word from Siregius. I don't like it.
About your neighbour Plaetorius I was very annoyed that anyone heard
before I did. About Syrus you did well. I fancy you will easily frighten
L. Antonius through his brother Marcus. I told you not to pay Antro, but
you had not yet received my letter forbidding you to pay anyone except
L. Fadius the aedile. It is the only safe and proper thing. You say you
are £1,000 out of pocket on the money sent to my son; please ask Eros
what has become of the rents of the blocks of houses. I am not at all
angry with Arabio about Sittius. I am not thinking of starting on my
journey until my accounts[270] are all settled, and of that I think you
approve. There is my answer to your first letter.
Footnote 269:
A proverb presumably ending ἀνάγκη δέχεσθαι, "one must put up with,"
or something similar.
Footnote 270:
If Λ stands for λοίπῳ = _reliquiis_ "balance," as was suggested by
Gronovius.
Now hear what I have to say to the second. You are acting as kindly as
usual in standing by Servilia, that is to say, Brutus. As to Cleopatra,
I am glad you are not anxious and that you accept the evidence. The
state of Eros' accounts I have heard from Tiro, and I have sent for Eros
himself. I am most grateful for your promise not to let my son lack in
anything. Messalla, on his way back from our adversaries at Lanuvium,
called on me with wonderfully good news about him, and upon my word his
own letter is so affectionate and well-written that I should not be
ashamed to read it before an audience. So I feel all the more
indulgently disposed towards him. I don't think Sestius is annoyed about
Bucilianus. As soon as Tiro returns home, I am thinking of going to
Tusculum. Please let me know at once, if there is anything that I ought
to know.
* * * * *
Page 344
XVIII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in itinere ex Antiati in Tusculanum XVI K. Quint. a.
710_]
XVII Kal. etsi satis videbar scripsisse ad te, quid mihi opus esset, et
quid te facere vellem, si tibi commodum esset, tamen, cum profectus
essem et in lacu navigarem, Tironem statui ad te esse mittendum, ut iis
negotiis, quae agerentur, interesset, atque etiam scripsi ad Dolabellam
me, si ei videretur, velle proficisci, petiique ab eo de mulis vecturae.
Ut in his (quoniam intellego te distentissimum esse qua de Buthrotiis,
qua de Bruto, cuius etiam ludorum sumptuosorum[271] curam et
administrationem suspicor ex magna parte ad te pertinere) ut ergo in
eius modi re tribues nobis paulum operae; nec enim multum opus est.
Footnote 271:
sumptuosorum _Lehmann_: suorum _MSS._
Mihi res ad caedem et eam quidem propinquam spectare videtur. Vides
homines, vides arma. Prorsus non mihi videor esse tutus. Sin tu aliter
sentis, velim ad me scribas. Domi enim manere, si recte possum, multo
malo.
XIX
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano inter a. d. XV et XI K. Quint. a. 710_]
Quidnam est, quod agendum amplius de Buthrotiis sit? Egisse[272] enim te
frustra scribis. Quid autem se refert Brutus? Doleo mehercules te tam
esse distentum, quod decem hominibus referendum est
Footnote 272:
sit? egisse _Boot_: stetisse _MSS._
* * * * *
Page 345
XVIII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _On the way to Tusculum, June 16_, B.C. _44_]
Though I think I told you sufficiently what I wanted and what I wished
you to do, if it was convenient to you, in my letter of the 15th, still,
when I had started and was crossing the lake, I determined to send Tiro
to you that he might attend to the necessary matters with you; and I
wrote, too, to Dolabella, saying I wanted to start if he agreed, and
asked him about baggage mules. So far as you can—I understand you are
utterly distracted with business, what with the Buthrotians and what
with Brutus, as I expect the care and arrangement of his sumptuous games
fall largely to your share—still, so far as you can, give a little
attention to my affairs. I shall not want much.
To me things seem to foreshadow bloodshed, and that quite soon. You see
the men, you see their warlike preparations. Indeed I do not count
myself safe at all. If you think differently, I wish you would write.
For, if I can with safety, I should much prefer to stay at home.
XIX
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, June 17 to 21_, B.C. _44_]
What more can we possibly do about Buthrotum? For you say your labour
has been in vain. Why too is Brutus returning to Rome? I am really very
sorry you have been so overworked: you are indebted for
* * * * *
Page 346
acceptum. Est illud quidem ἐργῶδες, sed ἀνεκτὸν mihique gratissimum. De
armis nihil vidi apertius. Fugiamus igitur, et ut ais. Coram Theophanes
quid velit, nescio. Scripserat enim ad me. Cui rescripsi, ut potui. Mihi
autem scribit venire ad me se velle, ut et de suis rebus et quaedam,
quae ad me pertinerent. Tuas litteras exspecto. Vide, quaeso, ne quid
temere fiat.
Statius scripsit ad me locutum secum esse Q. Ciceronem valde
adseveranter se haec ferre non posse; certum sibi esse ad Brutum et
Cassium transire. Hoc enim vero nunc discere aveo: hoc ego quid sit
interpretari non possum. Potest aliquid iratus Antonio, potest gloriam
iam novam quaerere, potest totum esse σχεδίασμα; et nimirum ita est. Sed
tamen et ego vereor, et pater conturbatus est; scit enim, quae ille de
hoc, mecum quidem ἄφατα olim. Plane, quid velit, nescio. A Dolabella
mandata habebo, quae mihi videbuntur, id est nihil. Dic mihi, C.
Antonius voluitne fieri septemvir? Fuit certe dignus. De Menedemo est,
ut scribis. Facies omnia mihi nota.
* * * * *
Page 347
that to the ten commissioners.[273] That is certainly a tough piece of
business, but one has to put up with it, and I am very thankful for it.
As to the imminence of war I never saw anything more obvious. So let me
flee, and in the way you suggest. I do not know why Theophanes wants to
see me, for he wrote to me. I answered as best I could. But he writes
saying he wants to come to me to discuss his own affairs and some that
concern me. I am looking for a letter from you. Pray see that nothing is
done rashly.
Footnote 273:
The commissioners for distributing land in Epirus.
Statius has written to me saying my nephew Quintus has told him with
emphasis that he cannot put up with things, and has resolved to go over
to Brutus and Cassius. Here is something I am very eager to understand:
here is a puzzle I can't interpret. Perhaps he is angry with Antony
about something; perhaps he is looking for some new way of
distinguishing himself; or perhaps it is all bunkum; and no doubt that
is what it is. But for all that I am afraid, and his father is disturbed
about him, for he knows what he used to say about Antony; indeed, he
said things to me which I cannot repeat. What on earth he means I can't
think. I shall only have such commissions as I choose from Dolabella,
that is, none at all. Tell me if C. Antonius wanted to be put on the
land commission.[274] He would certainly have been in his proper place.
About Menedemus it is as you say. Please keep me posted up in all news.
Footnote 274:
Seven commissioners were appointed to distribute land in Italy among
the soldiers. As the next sentence implies, several of them were
nonentities.
* * * * *
Page 348
XX
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano inter XV et XI K. Quint, a. 710_]
Egi gratias Vettieno; nihil enim potuit humanius. Dolabellae mandata
sint quaelibet, mihi aliquid, vel quod Niciae nuntiem. Quis enim haec,
ut scribis, ἀντερεῖ[275]? Nunc dubitare quemquam prudentem, quin meus
discessus desperationis sit, non legationis? Quod ais extrema quaedam
iam homines de re publica loqui et eos quidem viros bonos, ego, quo die
audivi illum tyrannum in contione "clarissimum virum" appellari,
subdiffidere coepi. Postea vero quam tecum Lanuvi vidi nostros tantum
spei habere ad vivendum, quantum accepissent ab Antonio, desperavi.
Itaque, mi Attice (fortiter hoc velim accipias, ut ego scribo), genus
illud interitus, quo causae cursus[276] est, foedum ducens, et quasi
denuntiatum nobis ab Antonio, ex hac nassa exire constitui non ad fugam,
sed ad spem mortis melioris. Haec omnis culpa Bruti.
Footnote 275:
ἀντερεῖ _Tyrrell_: anteno _MSS._: λεπτύνει _Gronovius and most
editors_.
Footnote 276:
causae cursus _Popma_: causa cursus _Z_: causurus _M^1_: casurus
_M^2_: Catulus usus est _Madvig, which gives a better sense but is
not very near the reading of the MSS._
Pompeium Carteiae receptum scribis. Iam igitur contra hunc exercitum.
Utra ergo castra? Media enim tollit Antonius. Illa infirma, haec
nefaria. Properemus igitur. Sed iuva me consilio, Brundisione an
Puteolis. Brutus quidem subito, sed sapienter. Πάσχω τι. Quando enim
illum? Sed humana ferenda. Tu ipse eum videre non potes. Di illi mortuo,
qui umquam Buthrotum! Sed acta missa; videamus, quae agenda sint.
* * * * *
Page 349
XX
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, June 17 to 21_, B.C. _44_]
I have thanked Vettienus; for nothing could have been kinder. Let
Dolabella give me what commissions he will, provided I have something,
even a message to Nicias. For, as you say, who will deny it? Can any
sane man doubt now that I am going away in despair, not on a mission?
You say that people, aye, even good citizens, are talking of desperate
political measures. I began to have my doubts on the day that I heard
that tyrant called "a most distinguished man." Afterwards, when I was
with you at Lanuvium and saw that our friends had precisely so much hope
of life as Antony gave them, I lost all hope. So, my dear Atticus, I
hope you will take what I am going to say with the same courage as I
write it. As I think the kind of death towards which the current of
affairs is setting is disgraceful and hold that we are practically
condemned to it by Antony, I have decided to escape from the toils, not
so much to escape as in hope of a better death. All this is Brutus'
fault.
You say Pompeius has been received at Carteia. So there will soon be an
army sent against him. Then which camp am I to choose? For Antony makes
neutrality impossible. That is weak, this is criminal. So let me hasten
away. But give me your counsel whether to sail from Brundisium or
Puteoli. Brutus does wisely to go, but it is sudden. I am rather upset
about it, for when shall I see him again? But such is life. You yourself
cannot see him. Heaven confound that dead man for ever touching
Buthrotum. But away with the past; let us see what has to be done.
* * * * *
Page 350
Rationes Erotis, etsi ipsum nondum vidi, tamen et ex litteris eius et ex
eo, quod Tiro cognovit, prope modum cognitas habeo. Versuram scribis
esse faciendam mensum quinque, id est ad Kal. Nov., HS ¯CC¯; in eam
diem cadere nummos, qui a Quinto debentur. Velim igitur, quoniam Tiro
negat tibi placere me eius rei causa Romam venire, si ea te res nihil
offendet, videas, unde nummi sint, mihi feras expensum. Hoc video in
praesentia opus esse. Reliqua diligentius ex hoc ipso exquiram, in his
de mercedibus dotalium praediorum. Quae si fideliter Ciceroni
curabuntur, quamquam volo laxius, tamen ei prope modum nihil derit.
Equidem video mihi quoque opus esse viaticum; sed ei ex praediis, ut
cadet, ita solvetur, mihi autem opus est universo. Equidem, etsi mihi
videtur iste, qui umbras timet, ad caedem spectare, tamen nisi explicata
solutione non sum discessurus. Sitne autem explicata necne, tecum
cognoscam. Hanc putavi mea manu scribendam itaque feci. De Fadio, ut
scribis, utique alii nemini. Rescribas velim hodie.
XXI
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano X K. Quint. a. 710_]
Narro tibi, Quintus pater exsultat laetitia. Scripsit enim filius se
idcirco profugere ad Brutum voluisse, quod, cum sibi negotium daret
Antonius, ut eum dictatorem efficeret, praesidium occuparet, id
recusasset;
* * * * *
Page 351
Though I have not yet seen Eros, from his letters and from what Tiro
found out I know pretty well how his accounts stand. You say I must
raise a fresh loan for some £2,000 for five months, that is, till the
1st of November, when Quintus' debt falls due. So, since Tiro says you
do not want me to come to Rome on purpose for that, if you do not mind,
I should be glad if you would see where I can get the money, and put it
down on my account. I see it is necessary for the present. I will
enquire more closely into the rest from Eros himself, among other things
about the rents of Terentia's dower property. If they are properly
looked after for my son he will be pretty well provided for, though I
want him to be more liberally treated. I see I shall want some
journey-money myself; but he can get the rents of the property as they
fall due, whereas I shall require a lump sum. I certainly shall not
leave until the money has been paid, though that trembler at
shadows[277] seems to me to be meditating a massacre. However, whether
it has been arranged or not, I shall learn when I see you. I thought I
had better write this myself, and so I have done so. As you say about
Fadius: the money must not go to anyone else in any case. Please answer
by return.
Footnote 277:
Antony, who professed to be afraid of assassination at the hands of
Brutus and Cassius. Cf. XV. 17.
XXI
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, June 22_, B.C. _44_]
I must tell you my brother Quintus is jumping for joy. For his son has
written saying that his reason for wanting to take refuge with Brutus
is, that when Antony asked him to secure him the dictatorship and seize
some fort, he refused, and the reason for
* * * * *
Page 352
recusasse autem se, ne patris animum offenderet; ex eo sibi illum
hostem. "Tum me," inquit, "collegi verens, ne quid mihi ille iratus tibi
noceret. Itaque eum placavi. Et quidem ¯CCCC¯ certa, reliqua in spe."
Scribit autem Statius illum cum patre habitare velle (hoc vero mirum) et
id gaudet. Ecquem tu illo certiorem nebulonem?
Ἐποχὴν vestram de re Cani probo. Nihil eram suspicatus de tabulis,
ἀκεραίως restitutam arbitrabar. Quae differs, ut mecum coram,
exspectabo. Tabellarios, quoad voles, tenebis; es enim occupatus. Quod
ad Xenonem, probe. Quod scribo, cum absolvero. Quinto scripsisti te ad
eum litteras. Nemo attulerat. Tiro negat iam tibi placere Brundisium et
quidem dicere aliquid de militibus. At ego iam destinaram Hydruntem
quidem. Movebant me tuae quinque horae. Hic autem quantus πλοῦς! Sed
videbimus. Nullas a te XI Kal. Quippe, quid enim iam novi? Cum primum
igitur poteris, venies. Ego propero, ne ante Sextus; quem adventare
aiunt.
* * * * *
Page 353
his refusal was that he did not want to hurt his father's feelings; and
from that time Antony has been his enemy. "Then," he says, "I pulled
myself together for fear that he should do you some mischief in his
wrath with me; and so I smoothed him down, and indeed got £4,000[278] in
cash, and have hopes of some more." Statius, however, says he wants to
live with his father—which is a wonder—and my brother is delighted about
it. Did you ever see a more thorough rascal?
Footnote 278:
400 sestertia.
I approve of your hesitation in the arrangement with Canus.[279] I had
no idea about the documents; I thought her dowry had been paid back in
full. I shall look forward to the matters you refrain from mentioning
till we meet. Keep the messengers as long as you like, as you are busy.
As to Xeno, quite right. What I am writing I will send when it is
finished. You told Quintus you had sent him a letter, but none has been
brought as yet. Tiro says you disapprove of Brundisium now, and indeed
says something about soldiers. But I have already fixed upon Hydrus.
Your saying that it was only a fivehour passage decided me. Think of the
endless voyage from here. But we shall see. I had no letter from you on
the 21st. Of course, for what news can there be now? Come, then, as soon
as you can. I am in a hurry, for Sextus may get here before I leave.
They say he is coming.
Footnote 279:
Apparently there were negotiations for a marriage between young
Quintus and Canus' daughter, who had lately been divorced. Cf. XIII.
41.
* * * * *
Page 354
XXII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano V K. Quint. mane a. 710_]
Gratulor nobis Quintum filium exisse. Molestus non erit. Pansam bene
loqui credo. Semper enim coniunctum esse cum Hirtio scio; amicissimum
Bruto et Cassio puto, si expediet (sed quando illos videbit?), inimicum
Antonio, quando aut cur? Quousque ludemur? Ego autem scripsi Sextum
adventare, non quo iam adesset, sed quia certe id ageret ab armisque
nullus discederet. Certe, si pergit, bellum paratum est. Hic autem
noster Cytherius nisi victorem neminem victurum. Quid ad haec Pansa?
utrobi erit, si bellum erit? quod videtur fore. Sed et haec et alia
coram hodie quidem, ut scribis, aut cras.
XXIII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano VIII aut VII K. Quint. a. 710_]
Mirifice torqueor, sine dolore tamen; sed permulta mihi de nostro
itinere in utramque partem occurrunt. "Quousque?" inquies. Quoad erit
integrum; erit autem, usque dum ad navem. Pansa si tuae rescripserit, et
meam tibi et illius epistulam mittam. Silium exspectabam; cui hypomnema
compositum. Si quid novi. Ego litteras misi ad Brutum. Cuius de itinere
etiam ex te velim, si quid scies, cognoscere.
* * * * *
Page 355
XXII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, June 27_, B.C. _44_]
Young Quintus' absence is a blessing; he won't be a nuisance to us. I
believe Pansa is talking amiably. I know he is always hand in glove with
Hirtius; I think he will be quite friendly with Brutus and Cassius, if
it is expedient—but will he ever see them?—and that he will oppose
Antony: but when and how? How long are we to be fooled? I said Sextus
was coming, not because he was already near, but because he certainly
has it in mind, and does not show the least sign of laying down his
arms. Certainly, if he goes on, war must come. But our good lover of
Cytheris[280] thinks no one sure of his life unless he gains a victory.
What has Pansa to say to this? And which side will he take if there is
war? So far as I can see, there will be. But more of this and other
things when we meet—to-day, according to your letter, or to-morrow.
Footnote 280:
Antony. Cf. X. 10.
XXIII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, June 24 or 25_, B.C. _44_]
I am absolutely on the rack, but not with pain. So many ideas for and
against that journey of mine keep occurring to me. You will ask how long
that is going to last. Until the matter is settled, and that won't be
till I am on board ship. If Pansa sends an answer to your note, I will
forward my letter and his. I am expecting Silius, and have a memorandum
drawn up for him. If there is any news—— I have written to Brutus. If
you know anything about his movements, I should be glad to hear that
too.
* * * * *
Page 356
XXIV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano VI K. Quint. mane a. 710_]
Tabellarius, quem ad Brutum miseram, ex itinere rediit VII Kal. Ei
Servilia dixit eo die Brutum H.IS[281] profectum. Sane dolui meas
litteras redditas non esse. Silius ad me non venerat. Causam composui;
eum libellum tibi misi. Te quo die exspectem, velim scire.
Footnote 281:
H.IS (= hora prima semis) _Orelli_: his _most MSS._
XXV
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Tusculano III K. Quint. a. 710_]
De meo itinere variae sententiae; multi enim ad me. Sed tu incumbe,
quaeso, in eam curam. Magna res est. An probas, si ad Kal. Ian.
cogitamus? Meus animus est aequus, sic tamen, ut si nihil offensionis
sit. Et tu etiam, scisne,[282] quo die olim piaculum?[283] Ut ut est
res,[284] casus consilium nostri itineris iudicabit. Dubitemus igitur.
Est enim hiberna navigatio odiosa, eoque ex te quaesieram mysteriorum
diem. Brutum, ut scribis, visum iri a me puto. Ego hinc volo pr. Kal.
Footnote 282:
scisne» scire _MSS._
Footnote 283:
olim piaculum _Bosius_: Olympiacum mysteria scilicet _MSS._ (_the last
two words are rejected as a gloss by Boot_): Olympia _Shuckburgh_.
Footnote 284:
ut ut est res _Moser_: ut tu scires _MSS._: ut tu scribis _Lambinus_.
* * * * *
Page 357
XXIV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, June 26_, B.C. _44_]
The messenger I sent to Brutus just got back yesterday, Servilia told
him Brutus had started at half-past six in the morning. I was very sorry
he did not get my letters. Silius has not come yet. I have drawn up a
statement of his case, and am sending the pamphlet to you. I should like
to know when to expect you.
XXV
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Tusculum, June 29_, B.C. _44_]
Opinions differ about my journey, for I have had a lot of visitors. But
please apply yourself to the question. It is a serious matter. Do you
approve of my idea of returning by the 1st of January? I am open-minded
on the subject, provided I don't give any offence. By the way, too, do
you know the date of the sacrilege of yore?[285] However that may be,
chance will decide the plan of my journey. So let us leave it in doubt.
For a winter journey is most unpleasant, and that was why I asked you
the date of the mysteries.[286] Brutus, as you say, I think I shall see.
I want to leave here on the last of the month.
Footnote 285:
If the reading is right, which is very uncertain, this must refer to
the violation of the rites of Bona Dea by Clodius in Cicero's
consulship. It may, however, refer to the Olympic games as Shuckburgh
suggests.
Footnote 286:
_Vide_ last note. Shuckburgh, however, thinks it refers to the
Eleusinian mysteries.
* * * * *
Page 358
XXVI
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati VI Non. Quint. a. 710_]
De Quinti negotio video a te omnia facta. Ille tamen dolet dubitans,
utrum morem gerat Leptae an fidem infirmet filio. Inaudivi L. Pisonem
velle exire legatum ψευδεγγράφῳ senatus consulto. Velim scire, quid sit.
Tabellarius ille, quem tibi dixeram a me ad Brutum esse missum, in
Anagninum ad me venit ea nocte, quae proxima ante Kal. fuit, litterasque
ad me attulit; in quibus unum alienum summa sua prudentia, idem illud,
ut spectem ludos suos. Rescripsi scilicet primum me iam profectum, ut
non integrum sit; deinde ἀτοπώτατον esse me, qui Romam omnino post haec
arma non accesserim neque id tam periculi mei causa fecerim quam
dignitatis, subito ad ludos venire. Tali enim tempore ludos facere illi
honestum est, cui necesse est, spectare mihi, ut non est necesse, sic ne
honestum quidem est. Equidem illos celebrari et esse quam gratissimos
mirabiliter cupio, idque ita futurum esse confido, et tecum ago, ut iam
ab ipsa commissione ad me, quem ad modum accipiantur hi ludi, deinde
omnia reliquorum ludorum in dies singulos persequare. Sed de ludis
hactenus. Reliqua pars epistulae est illa quidem in utramque partem, sed
tamen non nullos interdum iacit igniculos viriles. Quod quale tibi
videretur, ut posses interpretari, misi ad te exemplum epistulae;
quamquam mihi tabellarius
* * * * *
Page 359
XXVI
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum, July 2_, B.C. _44_]
I see you have done all you could in Quintus' business. He, however, is
in distress and doubt as to whether he shall oblige Lepta or damage his
son's credit. I have heard a rumour that L. Piso wants to go on a
mission with a forged decree of the senate. I should like to know what
there is in it. The messenger I told you I had sent to Brutus came to me
at Anagnia on the night of the 30th of June, and brought me a letter in
which there was one request quite unlike his usual common-sense, the
same old request that I should be present at his games. I answered, of
course, firstly that I had already set out now, so that it was not in my
power to do so, and secondly that it would be most out of place for me,
who have not been near Rome at all since the outbreak of war—not so much
to preserve my safety as to preserve my dignity—suddenly to go to the
games. For at such a time it was honourable for him to give the games,
since he had to do so, but, as there was no necessity for me to attend
them, it would not be honourable for me to do so. Of course I keenly
desire that they should be well attended and very popular, and I trust
they will be; and I beg you to send me a description of how these games
and all the other games are received day by day from the very beginning.
But enough of the games. The rest of the letter is, one must confess, of
rather a dubious kind, but still he does at times emit some sparks of
manly courage. That you may judge for yourself what it is like, I have
sent you a copy of the letter, although
* * * * *
Page 360
noster dixerat tibi quoque se attulisse litteras a Bruto easque ad te e
Tusculano esse delatas.
Ego itinera sic composueram, ut Nonis Quinctilibus Puteolis essem; valde
enim festino, ita tamen, ut, quantum homo possit, quam cautissime
navigem. M. Aelium cura liberabis; me paucos pedes[287] in extremo fundo
et eos quidem subterraneos servitutis putasse aliquid[288] habituros. Id
me iamiam nolle neque mihi aquam[289] esse tanti. Sed, ut mihi dicebas,
quam lenissime, potius ut cura liberetur, quam ut me suscensere aliquid
suspicetur. Item de illo Tulliano capite libere cum Cascellio loquere.
Parva res est, sed tu bene attendisti. Nimis callide agebatur. Ego
autem, si mihi imposuisset aliquid, quod paene fecit, nisi tua malitia
affuisset, animo iniquo tulissem. Itaque, utut erit, rem impediri malo.
Octavam partem Tullianarum aedium ad Streniae[290] memineris deberi
Caerelliae.[291] Videris mancipio dare ad eam summam, quae sub praecone
fuit maxima. Id opinor esse ¯CCCLXXX¯.
Footnote 287:
pedes _Turnebus_: pe _Z_^t: spe _M_: specus _Z_^l, _Lambinus_.
Footnote 288:
putasse aliquid _Madvig_: apud tale quid _M_.
Footnote 289:
aquam _Turnebus_: quam _M_ _Z_^t.
Footnote 290:
Tullianarum aedium ad Streniae _Lambinus and Turnebus_: tuli luminarum
medium ad strane _MSS._
Footnote 291:
deberi Caerelliae _Shuckburgh_: cui Caerellia _MSS._
Novi si quid erit, atque etiam si quid prospicies, quod futurum putes,
scribas ad me quam saepissime.
* * * * *
Page 361
my messenger tells me he brought you a letter, too, from Brutus, and
that it was forwarded to you from Tusculum.
I have arranged my journeys so that I shall be at Puteoli on the 7th of
July; for, though I am in a great hurry, I mean to take every care
humanly possible in my voyage. Please relieve M. Aelius of his anxiety.
Tell him I thought that on a few feet at the far end of the land there
might be some sort of claims, and those only underground. Also that I
have not the slightest desire for it, and that I don't value water at
that price.[292] But, as you suggested, do it as mildly as possible,
rather to relieve him of anxiety than to suggest that I am in the least
annoyed. Again, about that debt of Tullius: speak to Cascellius frankly.
It is a small matter, but I am glad you attended to it. There was too
much trickery about it: and, if he had cheated me at all, which he very
nearly did if you had not been too sharp for him, I should have been
very much annoyed. So, whatever happens, I would rather the matter were
broken off. Remember that an eighth share of the houses of Tullius near
the temple of Strenia is due to Caerellia, and see that it is conveyed
to her at the highest price bid at the auction. I think that was some
3,000 guineas.[293]
Footnote 292:
The reading and meaning of this passage is uncertain. Apparently
either Cicero had asserted some claim on some underground water-pipes
on property of Aelius adjoining his own, and was now disclaiming it;
or Aelius had been commissioned to buy property for Cicero on which
there was a disputed claim to such pipes, and Cicero refuses to
purchase on that ground. _Servitus_ above is used in the
technical-legal sense of an "easement" or liability on property.
Footnote 293:
380 sestertia. On this debt cf. _Att._ XII. 51.
If there is any news, and, even if you foresee anything you think likely
to happen, I should like you to write to me as often as possible. To
Varro
* * * * *
Page 362
Velim Varroni, quem ad modum tibi mandavi, memineris excusare tarditatem
litterarum mearum. Mundus iste cum M. Ennio quid egerit de testamento
(curiosus enim), facias me velim certiorem. Ex Arpinati VI Non.
XXVII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati V Non. Quint. a. 710_]
Gaudeo id te mihi suadere, quod ego mea sponte pridie feceram. Nam, cum
ad te VI Nonas darem, eidem tabellario dedi etiam ad Sestium scriptas
πάνυ φιλοστόργως. Ille autem, quod Puteolos persequitur, humane, quod
queritur, iniuste. Non enim ego tam illum expectare, dum de Cosano
rediret, debui, quam ille aut non ire, antequam me vidisset, aut citius
reverti. Sciebat enim me celeriter velle proficisci seseque ad me in
Tusculanum scripserat esse venturum. Te, ut a me discesseris, lacrimasse
moleste ferebam. Quod si me praesente fecisses, consilium totius
itineris fortasse mutassem. Sed illud praeclare, quod te consolata est
spes brevi tempore congrediendi; quae quidem exspectatio me maxime
sustentat. Meae tibi litterae non derunt. De Bruto scribam ad te omnia.
Librum tibi celeriter mittam "de gloria." Excudam aliquid Ἡρακλείδειον,
quod lateat in thesauris tuis. De Planco memini. Attica iure queritur.
Quod me de Bacchi,[294] de statuarum coronis certiorem fecisti, valde
gratum; nec quicquam posthac non modo tantum, sed ne tantulum quidem
praeterieris.
Footnote 294:
Bacchide _Graevius, assuming it to be the name of an actress appearing
at the games given by Brutus_.
* * * * *
Page 363
remember to plead my excuses for my slowness in writing, as I told you.
What your friend Mundus has done with M. Ennius about the will, please
let me know, for I am inquisitive. Arpinum, July 2.
XXVII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum, July 3_, B.C. _44_]
I am glad you recommend me to do what I did of my own accord yesterday.
For to the same messenger, to whom I gave the letter I sent you on the
2nd, I also gave another for Sestius, written in very friendly terms. It
is very good of him to follow me to Puteoli, but he has no grounds for
his complaint. For it was not my business to wait for his return from
Cosa, so much as it was his not to go until he had seen me, or to return
more quickly. He knew I wanted to start in a hurry, and he told me he
would come to me at Tusculum. I am grieved that you wept when you left
me. If you had done so in my presence, I might have changed all my plans
about going. But there is one good thing, that you were consoled by the
thought of meeting me again soon; and that, indeed, is the hope that
buoys me up. I will not stint you of letters, and will give you full
news about Brutus. I will send you my book _On Glory_ soon. I will
hammer out something in the style of Heracleides to be stored up in your
treasure-house. I remember about Plancus. Attica has good reason for
grumbling. I am much obliged to you for telling me about the garlands
for Bacchus and the statues. Please don't omit any detail of the same
importance, or even of the smallest importance in the future. I
* * * * *
Page 364
Et de Herode et Mettio meminero et de omnibus, quae te velle suspicabor
modo. O turpem sororis tuae filium! Cum haec scriberem, adventabat αὐτῇ
βουλύσει cenantibus nobis.
XXVIII
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Arpinati V Non. Quint. a. 710_]
Ego, ut ad te pridie scripseram, Nonis constitueram venire in
Puteolanum. Ibi igitur cotidie tuas litteras exspectabo et maxime de
ludis; de quibus etiam ad Brutum tibi scribendum est. Cuius epistulae,
quam interpretari ipse vix poteram, exemplum pridie tibi miseram.
Atticae meae velim me ita excuses, ut omnem culpam in te transferas, et
ei tamen confirmes me immutatum amorem meum mecum abstulisse.
XXIX
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Formiano III Non. Quint. a. 710_]
Bruti ad te epistulam misi. Di boni, quanta ἀμηχανία! Cognosces, cum
legeris. De celebratione ludorum Bruti tibi adsentior. Ad M. Aelium
nullus tu quidem domum, sed sicubi inciderit. De Tulliano semisse M.
Axianum adhibebis, ut scribis. Quod cum Cosiano egisti, optime. Quod non
solum mea, verum etiam tua eadem expedis, gratum. Legationem probari
meam gaudeo. Quod promittis, di faxint! Quid enim mihi meis iucundius?
Sed istam, quam tu
* * * * *
Page 365
won't forget about Herodes or Mettius, or anything that I have the least
suspicion you would like. What disgraceful conduct of your sister's son!
Here he is coming as the shades of night are falling, just as I am
writing this at the dinner-table.
XXVIII
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Arpinum, July 3_, B.C. _44_]
As I told you in my letter yesterday, I have arranged to be at Puteoli
on the 7th. So I shall look for a daily letter from you there,
especially about the games. You ought to write to Brutus too about them.
I sent you a copy yesterday of a letter of his, of which I can hardly
make anything myself. Please make my excuses to Attica by taking the
blame on yourself and assuring her that I depart with undiminished
affection for her.
XXIX
CICERO TO ATTICUS, GREETING.
[Sidenote: _Formiae, July 5_, B.C. _44_]
I am sending you Brutus' letter. Heavens, what a helpless condition he
is in! You will understand when you have read it. I agree about the
celebration of his games. Don't go to Aelius' house on any account, but
speak to him if you happen to meet him. Take M. Axianus' advice about
the half of Tullius' debt, as you suggest. What you have done with
Cosianus is excellent. Thanks for clearing up my affairs and your own at
the same time. I am glad you approve of my appointment. God grant your
promises come true. For what could suit me and mine better? But I am
afraid of the proviso
* * * * *
Page 366
excipis, metuo. Brutum cum convenero, perscribam omnia. De Planco et
Decimo sane velim. Sextum scutum abicere nolebam. De Mundo, si quid
scies. Rescripsi ad omnia tua; nunc nostra accipe.
Quintus filius usque Puteolos (mirus civis, ut tu Favonium Asinium
dicas) et quidem duas ob causas, et ut mecum et σπείσασθαι vult cum
Bruto et Cassio. Sed tu quid ais? Scio enim te familiarem esse Othonum.
Ait hic sibi Iuliam ferre; constitutum enim esse discidium. Quaesivit ex
me pater, qualis esset fama. Dixi nihil sane me audisse (nesciebam enim,
cur quaereret) nisi de ore et patre. "Sed quorsus?" inquam. At ille
filium velle. Tum ego, etsi ἐβδελυττόμην, tamen negavi putare me illa
esse vera. Σκοπὸς est enim huic nostro nihil praebere, illa autem οὐ
παρὰ τοῦτον. Ego tamen suspicor hunc, ut solet, alucinari. Sed velim
quaeras (facile autem potes) et me certiorem.
Obsecro te, quid est hoc? Signata iam epistula Formiani, qui apud me
cenabant, Plancum se aiebant hunc Buthrotium pridie, quam hoc scribebam,
id est III Non., vidisse demissum, sine phaleris; servulos autem dicere
eum et agripetas eiectos a Buthrotiis. Macte! Sed, amabo te, perscribe
mihi totum negotium.
* * * * *
Page 367
you make about Attica's ill-health. When I meet Brutus I will tell you
all about him. I hope you are right about Plancus and Decimus. I am
sorry if Sextus is throwing down his shield. Give me news of Mundus if
you have any. I have answered all your points: now for my own news.
Young Quintus is coming with me as far as Puteoli—what a noble citizen!
you might call him a Favonius Asinius.[295] He has two reasons: he wants
to be with me and to make peace with Brutus and Cassius. But what have
you to say to this? For I know you are intimate with the Othones. He
says that Julia proposed it herself, for a divorce has been arranged.
His father has asked me what sort of reputation she has. Not knowing why
he asked, I said I had never heard anything about her except about her
looks and her father. "But why?" I asked: and he said his son wanted
her. Then, though I was disgusted, I said I did not believe in those
reports. My brother's point is not to offer him any allowance, but she
says it is no business of his. I suspect, however, he is indulging in
fairy tales as usual. Still I should like you to make enquiries, which
will be no trouble to you, and let me know.
Footnote 295:
Favonius was a follower of Cato; Asinius Pollio a Caesarian. Possibly
Cicero may mean that Quintus sided with both parties; but the exact
meaning is doubtful.
What, pray, is this? When I had already sealed this letter, some
Formians, who were dining with me, said they had seen Plancus[296]—the
one from Buthrotus—the day before I wrote this, that is, on the 5th,
with downcast mien and unapparelled steed;[297] and that his boys said
he and the land-grabbers had been ejected by the Buthrotians. Well done
they! But pray let me know all the circumstances.
Footnote 296:
Head of the land-commissioners in Epirus.
Footnote 297:
As Tyrrell suggests, this is probably a quotation from a play.
* * * * *
Page 368
M. TULLI CICERONIS
EPISTULARUM AD ATTICUM
LIBER SEXTUS DECIMUS
I
CICERO ATTICO SAL.
[Sidenote: _Scr. in Puteolano VIII Id. Quint. a. 710_]
Nonis Quinctilibus veni in Puteolanum. Postridie iens ad Brutum in
Nesidem haec scripsi. Sed eo die, quo veneram, cenanti Eros tuas
litteras. Itane? NONIS IULIIS? Di hercule istis! Sed stomachari totum
diem licet. Quicquamne turpius quam Bruto IULIIS? Redeo ad meum igitur
"ἔτ' ἐῶμεν;" Nihil vidi. Sed quid est, quaeso, quod agripetas Buthroti
concisos audio? Quid autem Plancus tam cursim (ita enim inaudiebam) diem
et noctem? Sane cupio scire, quid sit. Meam profectionem laudari gaudeo.
Videndum est, ut mansio laudetur. Dymaeos agro pulsos mare infestum
habere nil mirum. Ἐν ὁμοπλοίᾳ Bruti videtur aliquid praesidii esse, sed,
opinor, minuta navigia. Sed iam sciam et ad te cras. De Ventidio πανικὸν
puto. De Sexto pro certo habebatur abicere[298] arma. Quod si verum est,
sine bello
Footnote 298:
abicere _Klotz_: ad _MSS._: haud ad _Orelli_.
* * * * *
Page 369
CICERO'S LETTERS
TO ATTICUS