Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. 49 BC|Cicero|From Rome|To Rome/Athens|AI-assisted
I suddenly decided to leave before dawn, so that there would be no spectacle and no gossip, especially with the lictors wearing laurel. As for the rest, by Hercules, I do not know either what I am doing or what I will do. I am so shaken by the recklessness of our utterly mad policy.
What advice can I give you, when I am waiting for yours? I do not know what plan our Pompey has adopted or is adopting; so far he has been compressed inside the towns and stunned. If he makes a stand in Italy, we will all be together. If he withdraws, that requires deliberation. So far at least, unless I am insane, everything has been foolish and careless. Please write to me often, whatever comes into your mouth.
I have suddenly determined to leave town before daybreak, so that
I may escape sightseers and gossips, especially with my bay-decked
lictors. For the rest, what to do now or later, upon my word, I do not
know: I am so upset by our rash and lunatic policy. What advice can I
offer you, when it is to you I look for advice? I know not what plan
Pompey has made or is making: so far he is cooped up in the towns,
paralysed. If he makes his stand in Italy, we shall all be together: if
he retires, it will be a matter for debate. So far certainly, unless I
have lost my wits, his policy has been rash and foolish. Please write
to me often, just what comes into your head.
subito consilium cepi ut ante quam luceret exirem, ne qui conspectus fieret aut sermo, lictoribus praesertim laureatis. de reliquo neque hercule quid agam neque quid acturus sim scio; ita sum perturbatus temeritate nostri amentissimi consili. tibi vero quid suadeam quoius ipse consilium exspecto? Gnaeus noster quid consili ceperit capiatve nescio, adhuc in oppidis coartatus et stupens. omnes, si in Italia consistat, erimus una; sin cedet, consili res est. adhuc certe, nisi ego insanio, stulte omnia et incaute. tu, quaeso, crebro ad me scribe vel quod in buccam venerit.
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I suddenly decided to leave before dawn, so that there would be no spectacle and no gossip, especially with the lictors wearing laurel. As for the rest, by Hercules, I do not know either what I am doing or what I will do. I am so shaken by the recklessness of our utterly mad policy.
What advice can I give you, when I am waiting for yours? I do not know what plan our Pompey has adopted or is adopting; so far he has been compressed inside the towns and stunned. If he makes a stand in Italy, we will all be together. If he withdraws, that requires deliberation. So far at least, unless I am insane, everything has been foolish and careless. Please write to me often, whatever comes into your mouth.
AI-assisted translation - This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.
Latin / Greek Original
subito consilium cepi ut ante quam luceret exirem, ne qui conspectus fieret aut sermo, lictoribus praesertim laureatis. de reliquo neque hercule quid agam neque quid acturus sim scio; ita sum perturbatus temeritate nostri amentissimi consili. tibi vero quid suadeam quoius ipse consilium exspecto? Gnaeus noster quid consili ceperit capiatve nescio, adhuc in oppidis coartatus et stupens. omnes, si in Italia consistat, erimus una; sin cedet, consili res est. adhuc certe, nisi ego insanio, stulte omnia et incaute. tu, quaeso, crebro ad me scribe vel quod in buccam venerit.