DCCXXV (A XIV, 21)
TO ATTICUS (AT LANUVIUM)
PUTEOLI (AT THE TABLE OF VESTORIUS), I I MAY
Only a little while ago I had sent you a
letter by Cassius's letter-carrier, when my own
letter-carrier arrived on the 11th, and,
marvellous to say, without a letter from you. But
I soon concluded that you had been at Lanuvium.
Eros, however, made great haste to have
Dolabella's letter delivered to me. It was not
about my money—for he had not received
my letter: but he wrote in answer to the letter of
which I sent you a copy. It was very well
expressed. Balbus, however, came to see me
immediately after I had despatched Cassius's
letter-carrier. Good heavens! how plainly he
shewed his dread of peace! You know, too, what a
reserved fellow he is, yet he told me Antony's
plans. That he was making the round of the
veterans, to induce them to confirm Caesar's acta,
and to take an oath that they would do so; to
secure that they all had arms; and that two
commissioners should inspect them every month.
1
He also grumbled about the prejudice existing
against himself, and his whole conversation
indicated an affection for Antony. In a word,
there is nothing sound about him. For my part, I
feel certain that things have a warlike look. For
that deed was done with the courage of men, but
the imprudence of a child. For who
can fail to see that an heir to the tyranny has
been left? 2
Now what can be more irrational than “To
fear the one, nor dread at all the other?”
Nay, at this very moment there are many
circumstances of a paradoxical character. What
about the mother of the tyrannicide retaining the
Neapolitan villa of Pontius ? 3 I
must read over again and again my Cato Maior,
which is dedicated to you. For old age is spoiling
my temper. Everything puts me in a rage. But for
me life is over. The rising generation must look
to it. Take care of my affairs, as you always do.
I write, or rather dictate
this, after the dessert has been put on the table
at the house of Vestorius. Tomorrow I am thinking
of dining with Hirtius—the sole survivor
indeed of our set of five. 4 That is my way of bringing him Over
to the Optimates. It is all nonsense: for there is
not one of that party who does not dread a period
of peace. Wherefore let us look out our
winged-sandals! For I prefer anything to a camp.
Pray give my best love to Attica. I am anxious to
hear of Octavius's speech and anything else, but
specially whether Dolabella has the true money
chink, or has gone in for "repudiation" in regard
to my debt also. 5
PUTEOLI (AT THE TABLE OF VESTORIUS), I I MAY
