Letter 139

On February 2 our women came to Formiae and brought me the story of your services to them, full of your sweetest devotion. I wanted them to stay at Formiae, along with the young Ciceros, until we knew whether we had to accept shameful peace or miserable war. I myself, with my brother, set out for Capua to see the consuls on February 3, the day I sent this letter, since we were ordered to be there on the 5th. Pompey's answers are said to be pleasing to the people and approved by the public meeting. That is what I had thought. If Caesar rejects them, he will be flat on the ground. If he accepts them - "Which do you prefer?" you ask. I would answer if I knew how prepared we were. It has been heard here that Cassius has been driven out of Ancona and that the city is held by our side. If there is going to be war, that is useful business. They say that Caesar, although he sent Lucius Caesar with proposals of peace, is nevertheless carrying out the levy with the greatest energy, occupying positions, and fastening them with garrisons. What a ruined bandit! What a disgrace to the republic, scarcely to be compensated by any peace. But let us stop being indignant, obey the times, and go with Pompey to Spain. That is the best course among evils, since we did not block his second consulship when the republic had the chance. Enough of this. I forgot to write to you earlier about Dionysius. My decision is to wait for Caesar's answers: if we return to the city, he can wait for us there; if that is delayed, then we will summon him. I know perfectly well what he ought to have done during that flight of ours, and what would have been worthy of a learned man and a friend, especially when he had been asked. But I do not examine Greeks too closely on such matters. Still, if he has to be summoned - which I hope will not happen - make sure we do not trouble him unwillingly. My brother Quintus is trying to pay you what he owes through Egnatius. Egnatius does not lack goodwill and is far from poor, but the times are such that Quintus Titinius, who is much with us, says he does not have travel money, and has told his own debtors to keep using the same interest rate; Lucius Ligus is said to have done the same. Since Quintus at present has no cash at home, cannot collect from Egnatius, and cannot make a new loan anywhere, he is surprised that you did not take account of this public difficulty. I myself observe the saying, wrongly attributed to Hesiod, "hear both sides," especially with you, from whom I have never seen anything done rashly; still, I was moved by his complaint. I wanted you to know the matter, whatever it is worth.

On the 2nd of February my women-folk came to Formiae and brought me an account of your very kind and zealous attentions. I wished them to stay in my villa here along with the boys, till we know whether we are to have peace with dishonour, or war with its horrors. I and my brother start for Capua on the 3rd of February, the date of this letter, to meet the consuls on the 5th according to their instructions. Pompey's reply to Caesar is said to please the people, and to have won the approval of a public meeting. I expected it. If Caesar rejects this condition, he will fall in esteem: if he accept——. You will ask my choice in the matter. I would answer, if I knew our state of preparation. It is reported here that Cassius has been driven from Ancona, and that our party hold the town. That will be a useful thing in the event of war. As for Caesar, though he has sent L. Caesar with negotiations for peace, nevertheless reports declare that he is collecting levies with the greatest energy, seizing posts, and securing the country with garrisons. What a villain robber! What a disgrace to the country, too dear a price to pay for any peace! But let us restrain our anger, yield to circumstance and accompany Pompey to Spain. That is my choice in our straits, since we did not take the chance when we had it of keeping him from his second consulship. But enough of politics. It escaped my memory to write to you about Dionysius before: but my determination is this, to await Caesar's answer, so that, if I return to Rome, Dionysius may await me there; but, if there is delay, then I would summon him. I am quite aware of what he ought to have done when I took to flight, what was proper for a scholar and a friend, especially when he had been asked to do it: but I do not expect much from a Greek. But please see, if I have to summon him, which I hope I shall not, that I may not be troubling a reluctant man. My brother Quintus is anxious to give you a draft on Egnatius for the money he owes, and Egnatius is willing and has plenty of cash; but when the times are such that Q. Titinius, whom I see often, declares he has no money to get along with, and yet has told his debtors that they may let their debts stand over at the same rate of interest as before, and when L. Ligus too is said to have taken the same steps, and Quintus at the present time has no money in hand, and is unable to borrow from Egnatius or to raise a new loan anywhere, he is surprised that you have not taken into account our national straits. Though I observe the saying wrongly ascribed to Hesiod "Hear both sides," particularly in the case of yourself, whom I have always found considerate, still I was affected by his grievance. You ought to know his grievance, such as it is.

IIII non. Febr. mulieres nostrae Formias venerunt tuaque erga se officia plena tui suavissimi studi ad me pertulerunt. eas ego, quoad sciremus utrum turpi pace nobis an misero bello esset utendum, in Formiano esse volui et una Cicerones. ipse cum fratre Capuam ad consules (Nonis enim adesse iussi sumus) iii Nonas profectus sum, cum has litteras dedi. responsa Pompei grata populo et probata contioni esse dicuntur. ita putaram. quae quidem ille si repudiarit, iacebit; si acceperit—. 'utrum igitur' inquies 'mavis?' responderem, si quem ad modum parati essemus scirem. [2] Cassium erat hic auditum expulsum Ancona eamque urbem a nobis teneri. si bellum futurum est, negotium utile. Caesarem quidem L. Caesare cum mandatis de pace misso tamen aiunt acerrime dilectum habere, loca occupare, vincire praesidiis. O perditum latronem! o vix ullo otio compensandam hanc rei publicae turpitudinem! sed stomachari desinamus, tempori pareamus, cum Pompeio in Hispaniam eamus. haec optima in malis, quoniam illius alterum consulatum a re publica ne data quidem occasione reppulimus. sed haec hactenus. [3] de Dionysio fugit me ad te antea scribere; sed ita constitui, exspectare responsa Caesaris, ut, si ad urbem rediremus, ibi nos exspectaret, sin tardius id fieret, tum eum arcesseremus. omnino quid ille facere debuerit in nostra illa fuga, quid docto homine et amico dignum fuerit, cum praesertim rogatus esset, scio, sed haec non nimis exquiro a Graecis. tu tamen videbis, si erit, quod nolim, arcessendus, ne molesti simus invito. [4] Quintus frater laborat ut tibi quod debet ab Egnatio solvat; nec Egnatio voluntas deest nec parum locuples est, sed cum tale tempus sit ut Q. Titinius (multum enim est nobiscum) viaticum se neget habere idemque debitoribus suis denuntiarit ut eodem faenore uterentur, atque hoc idem etiam L. Ligus fecisse dicatur, nec hoc tempore aut domi nummos Quintus habeat aut exigere ab Egnatio aut versuram usquam facere possit, miratur te non habuisse rationem huius publicae difficultatis. ego autem etsi illud pseudesiodeion (ita enim putatur) observo 'mede diken,' praesertim in te a quo nihil umquam vidi temere fieri, tamen illius querela movebar. hoc quicquid est te scire volui.