Letter 308

You had only just left yesterday when Trebatius arrived, and a little later Curtius came to pay his respects, but he stayed on at my invitation. Trebatius is staying with us. This morning, Dolabella. We talked at length, far into the day. I cannot tell you anything more ektenesteron [more cordial], anything more philostorgoteron [more affectionate]. We did, however, come round to the subject of Quintus. There was much that is aphata [unspeakable], adiegeta [not to be related], but one thing of such a kind that, unless the whole army already knew it, I would not dare not only to dictate it to Tiro but even to write it down myself. . . . But enough of this. Just at the right moment, eukairos, while I had Dolabella with me, Torquatus came to me, and Dolabella very graciously explained to him the terms in which I had pleaded his case with him. For I had in fact pleaded it most carefully, and that care seemed gratifying to Torquatus. [2] I am waiting to hear from you if you have anything about Brutus -- though Nicias thought the matter settled, but that the divorce is not approved of. On that account I am all the more anxious about the very thing you are anxious about: for if there is any offense in it, this affair can remedy it. I have to go to Arpinum, for those little farms of mine need to be put in order by me, and I am afraid that I may not have the chance to get away once Caesar has come. As to his arrival, Dolabella holds the same opinion that you were forming as a guess from Messalla's letter. When I have gone there and understood what the business amounts to, I will then write to you about the dates by which I shall be returning.

Your letter about dear Attica stung me to the quick; but it healed the wound again. For you consoled yourself in the same letter, and that I counted sufficient warrant for moderating my grief. You have given my speech for Ligarius a magnificent start. Henceforth, when I write anything, I shall leave it to you to advertise it. As to what you say about Varro, you know formerly I have written speeches or things of such a kind, that I could not introduce him; but afterwards, when I began these more literary works, Varro had already promised to dedicate a great and important work to me. Two years have passed and that slow coach, though always on the move, has not advanced an inch, while I was prepared to pay him back "full measure and more" for what he sent, if I could. For Hesiod adds "if you can." Now I have pledged my De Finibus, of which I think very highly, to Brutus as you advised, and you have told me he was gratified. So I must assign the Academica to Varro. The speakers in it are men of birth to be sure, but not scholars, and talk above their own heads. And indeed the doctrines are those of Antiochus, of which Varro is a strong supporter. I will make it up to Catulus and Lucullus somewhere else; that is to say, if you agree. Please write and tell me. I have had a letter from Vestorius about the auction of Brinnius' estate. He tells me I was unanimously given the direction of it. They evidently thought I should be in town or at Tusculum on the 24th. So please tell your friend S. Vettius, my co-heir, or Labienus, to put the sale off for a while; and that I shall be at Tusculum about July 7th. You have Eros to help with Piso. Let us throw ourselves heart and soul into the purchase of Scapula's gardens. The time is drawing near. Under the influence of your letters about Varro I have taken the whole of my Academica from its eminent interlocutors and transferred it to our friend: and from two books I have turned it into four. They are certainly finer than the first draft though a good deal has been cut out. But I should very much like you to tell me how you knew Varro wanted it: and one thing at any rate I want to know, who was it of whom you noticed he was jealous: unless perhaps it was Brutus. Upon my word that is the only possible answer: but still I should much like to know. Unless I am deceived like most people by egotism, the books have turned out superior to anything of the kind even in Greek. You must not be annoyed at the loss you have incurred in having the part of the Academica you have copied in vain. The new draft will be far finer, shorter, and better. But now I don't know where to turn. I want to do something for Dolabella, as he is very anxious for it. But I can't think of anything, and at the same time "I fear the Trojans," and even if I can think of something, I shall not escape criticism. So I must either be idle or rack my brains for something. But why do I bother about trifles like this? Pray tell me how dear Attica is. I am very anxious about her. But I keep dipping into your letter again and again, and that solaces me. Nevertheless I am looking forward to a fresh one. Brinnius' freedman, my co-heir, has written to me that the rest of the heirs want him and Sabinus Albius to come to me, if I am willing. I am all against that: it is more than the legacy is worth. However, they can easily manage to attend the auction, which is on the 13th, if they meet me at my place at Tusculum early on the 8th. But, if they want to put off the date still further, they can do so two or three days or as much as they like: it does not matter to me. So, unless the people have started already, stop them. If Brutus has done anything, or if you have any news about Caesar or anything else, let me know. Please give your earnest consideration to deciding whether what I have written ought to be sent to Varro: though the point has some personal interest for you too: for you must know I have brought you in as a third speaker in the dialogue. So I think we must consider. The names, however, have been entered, but they can be scratched out or altered. Pray tell me how Attica is. It is three days since I heard from you, and no wonder: for no one has come here, and perhaps there was no reason for writing. So I myself have nothing to write. However, I am expecting one of my messengers the very day I am giving this to Valerius. If he comes and brings something from you, I foresee I shall have no lack of material.

commodum discesseras heri cum Trebatius venit, paulo post Curtius, hic salutandi causa sed mansit invitatus. Trebatium nobiscum habemus. hodie mane Dolabella. multus sermo ad multum diem. nihil possum dicere e)ktene/steron , nihil filostorgo/teron . ventum est tamen ad Quintum. multa a)/fata , a)dih/ghta , sed unum eius modi quod nisi exercitus sciret, non modo Tironi dictare sed ne ipse quidem auderem scribere. . . . sed hactenus. Eu)kai/rwj ad me venit, cum haberem Dolabellam, Torquatus humanissimeque Dolabella quibus verbis secum egissem exposuit. Commodum enim egeram diligentissime; quae diligentia grata est visa Torquato. [2] a te exspecto si quid de Bruto. quamquam Nicias confectum putabat sed divortium non probari. quo etiam magis laboro idem quod tu. si quid est enim offensionis, haec res mederi potest. mihi Arpinum eundum est. nam et opus est constitui a nobis illa praediola et vereor ne exeundi potestas non sit cum Caesar venerit: de cuius adventu eam opinionem Dolabella habet quam tu coniecturam faciebas ex litteris Messallae. cum illuc venero intellexeroque quid negoti sit, tum ad quos dies rediturus sim scribam ad te.