DCCXXVI (A XIV, 22)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
PUTEOLI, 14 MAY
Having been informed by Pilia that
letter-carriers were starting for you on the 15th,
I scrawl these few lines. First then I want you to
know that I am leaving this place for Arpinum on
the 17th of May. So please direct there if there
is anything to write after this: though I shall be
with you almost immediately myself. For I am
anxious that before I arrive at Rome very careful
inquiry should be made as to what is going to
happen. However, I fear that my presentiments are
not wide of the mark. It is in truth quite plain
what these fellows are at. For my pupil, 1 who dines with me today, is much devoted
to the victim of our Brutus's dagger: and if you
ask my opinion, I see very plainly their
attitude—they dread peace. Moreover,
their constant theme is that "a man of the most
illustrious character has been killed: that by his
death the constitution has been thoroughly shaken:
that his acta will be rendered nugatory as soon as
we cease to be frightened: that his clemency did
him harm; and that if he had not shewn it, nothing
of the sort would have befallen him." It strikes
me therefore, that if Pompeius arrives with a
strong army—as is reasonable to
expect—there will certainly be war. This
idea haunts my imagination and terrifies me. For
we shall not now be able to do what you did on the
former occasion. For I made no secret of my
triumphant joy. In the next place, they talk of
our ingratitude. It certainly will be impossible
for me on any grounds to take up the position
which was then possible for you and many others.
2 Must I then put a good face
on it and go to the camp? A thousand times better
die, especially at my time of life. Accordingly,
the Ides of March do not console me
so much as they did: for they involve a serious
blunder, unless our young heroes “By other
noble deeds wipe out this shame.”
3 But if you have any brighter
hope as being more in the way of hearing news and
being cognizant of their plans, pray write me word
and at the same time turn over in your mind what I
ought to do about taking a "votive legation."
4 The fact is that in these parts
many warn me against appearing in the senate on
the 1st of June. Troops 5 are said to be
secretly collecting for that day, and that too
against the men who seem to me likely to be safer
anywhere than in the senate.
PUTEOLI, 14 MAY