Letter 23

First, as I think, the good news. Valerius has been acquitted, with Hortensius defending him. That verdict was thought to have been granted as a favor to the son of Aulus; and I suspect, as you write, that Epicrates [Pompey] has been playing the wanton. For indeed his boots and his chalk-whitened leg-bands did not please me. We shall know what it all amounts to when you come. [2] As for your finding fault with the narrowness of the windows, you should know that you are finding fault with the Education of Cyrus [Xenophon's Cyropaedia]. For when I myself said that very thing, Cyrus [the architect] used to say that the views of garden-grounds are not so pleasant through wide openings; for let the vision be a, the thing seen b, c, and the rays d and e. You see the rest. For if we saw by the impact of images [Epicurean eidola], the images would be greatly strained in narrow spaces. As it is, that effusion of rays happens charmingly. If you fault the rest, you will not get me to keep silent, unless it should be something of such a kind that it can be corrected without expense. [3] I come now to the month of January and to our position and policy, on which, in Socratic fashion, [I shall argue] on both sides, but nevertheless at the end, as those men used to do, [I shall give] the view that pleases. It is truly a matter of great deliberation; for either the agrarian law must be stoutly resisted, in which there is a certain struggle but one full of glory, or one must keep quiet, which is not unlike going off to Solonium or Antium, or even one must lend a hand, which they say Caesar so expects from me that he does not doubt of it. For Cornelius was with me, I mean Balbus, Caesar's intimate. He affirmed that Caesar would in all matters make use of my counsel and Pompey's, and would take pains to join Crassus with Pompey. [4] Here are these advantages: the closest union for me with Pompey, and, if I please, even with Caesar; a return into favor with my enemies; peace with the multitude; the leisure of old age. But that conclusion of mine moves me, the one which is in the third book: "Meanwhile the courses which from the first part of your youth, and which indeed as consul you sought with valor and spirit, these keep up and increase, the fame and praises of good men." Since Calliope herself prescribed these things to me in that book, in which much is written in the aristocratic vein, I do not think there should be any doubt that there will always seem to us [to hold true] "one omen is best, to fight in defense of one's fatherland." But let us reserve these matters for our walks at the Compitalia. Remember the day before the Compitalia. I will order the bath to be heated. And Terentia invites Pomponia; we shall add your mother. Bring me Theophrastus's On Ambition from the books of my brother Quintus.

First a trifle please for good news. Valerius has been acquitted, with Hortensius as his advocate. The verdict is generally thought to be a concession to Aulus’ son; and I expect Iphicrates has been up to some tricks, as you suggest. I didn’t like the look of his military boots and puttees. We shall know what it was, when you arrive. In finding fault with the narrowness of my windows, let me tell you, you are finding fault with the Education of Cyrus: for, when I made the same remark to Cyrus, he said that the view of gardens was not so pleasant, if the windows were broad. For, let a be the point of vision, and b, c the object, and d, e the rays,—you see what follows. If our sight resulted from the impact of images, the images would be horribly squeezed in the narrow space: but, as it is, the emission of rays goes on merrily. If you have any other faults to find, you will find me ready with an answer, unless they are such as can be put to rights without expense. Now I come to January and my political attitude; and I shall follow the fashion of the Socratic schools in giving both sides of the question, ending, however, as they do, with the one which I prefer. It really is a point that requires much consideration. For either I have got to resist the agrarian measure strongly, which would mean something of a fight, though I should gain prestige by it; or I must hold my peace, which is equivalent to retiring to Solonium or Antium; or else I must assist the measure, and that is what they say Caesar expects me to do beyond a doubt. For Cornelius paid me a visit—I mean Balbus, Caesar’s great friend. He assured me that Caesar will take my own and Pompey’s opinion on everything, and that he will make an effort to reconcile Pompey and Crassus. On this side of the sheet may be placed an intimate connection with Pompey and, if I like, with Caesar too, reconciliation with my enemies, peace with the populace, and ease in my old age. But my blood is still stirred by the finale I laid down for myself in the 3rd book of my poem: Since Calliope herself dictated those verses to me in a book full of passages in lordly vein, I ought not to have the least hesitation in holding “no omen, better Iliad xii, 243| than to right one’s country’s wrongs.” But this point must be reserved for our strolls at the Compitalia. Do you remember the day before the festival. I will order the bath to be heated, and Terentia is going to invite Pomponia. We will make your mother one of the party. Bring me from my brother Quintus’ library Theophrastus’ “Hints for office-seekers.”

primum, ut opinor, euangelia. Valerius absolutus est Hortensio defendente. id iudicium Auli filio condonatum putabatur; et Epicratem suspicor, ut scribis, lascivum fuisse. etenim mihi caligae eius et fasciae cretatae non placebant. quid sit sciemus cum veneris. [2] fenestrarum angustias quod reprehendis, scito te Kurou paideian reprehendere. nam cum ego idem istuc dicerem, Cyrus aiebat viridariorum diaphaseis latis luminibus non tam esse suavis; etenim esto opsis men he a, to de horomenon b, g, aktines de d kai e. vides enim cetera. nam si kat' eidolon emptoseis videremus, valde laborarent eidola in angustiis. nunc fit lepide illa ekchusis radiorum. cetera si reprehenderis, non feres tacitum, nisi si quid erit eius modi quod sine i sumptu corrigi possit. [3] venio nunc ad mensem Ianuarium et ad hupostasin nostram ac politeian, in qua Sokratikos eis hekateron sed tamen ad extremum, ut illi solebant,ten areskousan. est res sane magni consili; nam aut fortiter resistendum est legi agrariae, in quo est quaedam dimicatio sed plena laudis, aut quiescendum, quod est non dissimile atque ire in Solonium aut Antium, aut etiam adiuvandum, quod a me aiunt Caesarem sic exspectare ut non dubitet. nam fuit apud me Cornelius, hunc dico Balbum, Caesaris familiarem. is adfirmabat illum omnibus in rebus meo et Pompei consilio usurum daturumque operam ut cum Pompeio Crassum coniungeret. [4] hic sunt haec, coniunctio mihi summa cum Pompeio, si placet, etiam cum Caesare, reditus in gratiam cum inimicis, pax cum multitudine, senectutis otium. sed me katakleis mea illa commovet quae est in libro tertio: interea cursus, quos prima a parte iuventae quosque adeo consul virtute animoque petisti, hos retine atque auge famam laudesque bonorum. haec mihi cum in eo libro in quo multa sunt scripta aristokratikos Calliope ipsa praescripserit, non opinor esse dubitandum quin semper nobis videatur heis oionos aristos amunesthai peri patres. sed haec ambulationibus compitaliciis reservemus. tu pridie compitalia memento. Balineum calfieri iubebo. et Pomponiam Terentia rogat; matrem adiungemus. Theophrastou peri philotimias adfer mihi de libris Quinti fratris.