Letter 373

When I was at Pompeii on May 7, I received two letters from you, one six days old and the other four. I will answer the earlier first. How pleased I am that Barnaeus delivered the letter to you at the right moment. Take Cassius in hand as you do everything else. It is very convenient that four days earlier I had written to him on the very point you urged, and had sent you a copy of my letter. But when I had been thrown into deep despair by Dolabella's scoring, as you wrote it to me, here came your letter and Brutus'. He is thinking about exile. I was seeing another harbor, one nearer to my age. I would much rather be carried into it with our Brutus flourishing and the republic set in order. But now, as you write, the choice is not open. You agree with me that our age is unsuited to a military camp, especially in civil war. Antony answered me only about Clodius, saying that my leniency and clemency were gratifying to him and would bring great pleasure to me. Pansa, however, seems furious about Clodius and also about Deiotarus, and speaks severely, if you choose to believe him. Yet one thing, to my mind, is not pretty: he strongly disapproves of Dolabella's act. As for the men wearing garlands, when your sister's son was reproached by his father, he replied that he had worn a garland in honor of Caesar, had put it aside out of grief, and finally that he would willingly submit to criticism because he loved Caesar even after death. I have written carefully to Dolabella, as you say you approve. I have also written to Sicca myself; I do not put that burden on you, since I do not want you to have him angry at you. I recognize Servius' style of speech. In it I see more fear than judgment. But since we are all terrified, I agree with Servius. Publilius has been playing tricks with you. Caerellia was sent here by those people as an envoy to me, and I easily persuaded her that what she was asking was not even lawful for me, let alone pleasing. If I see Antony, I will deal carefully with Buthrotum. I come to your more recent letter, though I have already answered about Servius. You say I make a great prize of Dolabella's action. By heaven, it seems to me that no greater prize could have been won in such circumstances and at such a time. Still, whatever I grant him, I grant from your letters. I agree with you that his prize will be greater if he pays what he owes me. I wish Brutus would be at Astura. You praise me for deciding nothing about departure before I see where these matters are heading. I have changed my mind, though I will do nothing before I see you. I am glad that my Attica thanks me about her mother. I have put the whole villa and its storeroom at her disposal, and was thinking of seeing her on May 11. Give Attica my greetings. I will take careful care of Pilia.

Here at Pompeii on the seventh of May I received two letters, one five days old, the other three. So I will answer the earlier first. How glad I am Barnaeus delivered the letter so opportunely! Take Cassius in hand like everything else. It is however very lucky that I had written to him four days ago, as you advise, and had sent a copy of my letter to you. But when I was in the depths of despair owing to Dolabella's arice (for that is what you wrote), lo and behold your letter and Brutus'. Brutus is meditating exile. I however see another haven and a readier one for my age: but I would rather sail into it with Brutus in prosperity and the republic set in order. But now, as you say, I have not the choice. For you agree that age unfits me for a soldier's camp, especially in civil war. Antony only answered about Clodius, that my leniency and clemency had been very gratifying to him and would be a source of pleasure to myself. But Pansa appears to be in a fury about Clodius and about Deiotarus too; and, if you are willing to believe him, he expresses himself very forcibly. But there is one thing that to my mind is shady, that he strongly disapproves of Dolabella's action. As for the people who wore garlands, when your nephew was reproved for it by his father, he answered that he wore a garland for Caesar's honour, and laid it aside for grief; and finally that he would willingly submit to reproaches for loving Caesar even after his death. To Dolabella I have written carefully, as you advise: and I have written myself to Sicca too. I do not want to lay this burden on you, for I don't want him to be angry with you. I recognise Servius' way of talking; and there seems to me to be more fright than wisdom in it. But, since we are all frightened, I agree with Servius. Publilius has been hoaxing. For Caerellia was sent here by them as their ambassadress to me; but I persuaded her easily that what she asked was not even lawful, besides being repugnant to me. If I see Antony, I will do my best for Buthrotum. I come to your more recent letter, though I have answered already about Servius. You say I make much of Dolabella's score. Well, I don't see that he could have made a greater one considering the times and circumstances. However, all the credit I give him I give in accordance with your letter. But I agree with you that it would be still better, if he would pay off my score. I hope Brutus will be at Astura. You praise me for not making up my mind about leaving the country before I see how things are going to turn out. I have changed my mind: however I won't do anything until I see you. I am gratified at Attica's thanking me for her mother. I have put the whole house and the store-rooms at her service and I am thinking of seeing her on the 11th. Give Attica my love. I will take great care of Pilia.

Nonis Maus cum essem in Pompeiano, accepi binas a te litteras, alteras sexto die, alteras quarto. ad superiores igitur prius. quam mihi iucundum opportune tibi Barnaeum litteras reddidisse! tu vero cum Cassio ut cetera. quam commode autem quod id ipsum quod me mones quadriduo ante ad eum scripseram exemplumque mearum litterarum ad te miseram! sed cum ex Dolabellae aritia? (sic enim tu ad me scripseras) magna desperatione adfectus essem, ecce tibi et Bruti et tuae litterae! ille exsilium meditari. nos autem alium portum propiorem huic aetati videbamus; in quem mallem equidem pervehi florente Bruto nostro constitutaque re publica. sed nunc quidem, ut scribis, non utrumvis. adsentiris enim mihi nostram aetatem a castris, praesertim civilibus, abhorrere. [2] Antonius ad me tantum de Clodio rescripsit, meam lenitatem et clementiam et sibi esse gratam et mihi voluptati magnae fore. sed Pansa furere videtur de Clodio itemque de Deiotaro et loquitur severe, si velis credere. illud tamen non belle, ut mihi quidem videtur, quod factum Dolabellae vehementer improbat. [3] de coronatis, cum sororis tuae filius a patre accusatus esset, rescripsit se coronam habuisse honoris Caesaris causa, posuisse luctus gratia; postremo se libenter vituperationem subire quod amaret etiam mortuum Caesarem. [4] ad Dolabellam, quem ad modum tibi dicis placere, scripsi diligenter. ego etiam ad Siccam; tibi hoc oneris non impono. nolo te illum iratum habere. Servi orationem cognosco; in qua plus timoris video quam consili. sed quoniam perterriti omnes sumus, adsentior Servio. Publilius tecum tricatus est. huc enim Caerellia missa ab istis est legata ad me; cui facile persuasi mihi id quod rogaret ne licere quidem, non modo non lubere. Antonium si videro, accurate agam de Buthroto. [5] venio ad recentiores litteras; quamquam de Servio iam rescripsi. 'me facere magnam pra=cin Dolabellae.' mihi me hercule ita videtur, non potuisse maior tali re talique tempore. sed tamen quicquid ei tribuo, tribuo ex tuis litteris. tibi vero adsentior maiorem pra=cin eius fore si mihi quod debuit dissolverit. Brutus velim sit Asturae. [6] quod autem laudas me quod nihil ante de profectione constituam quam ista quo evasura sint videro, muto sententiam. neque quicquam tamen ante quam te videro. Atticam meam gratias mihi agere de matre gaudeo; cui quidem ego totam villam cellamque tradidi eamque cogitabam v Idus videre. tu Atticae salutem dices. nos Piliam diligenter tuebimur.