DCCIII (A XIV, 4)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
LANUVIUM (10 APRIL)
What news do you suppose I get now at
Lanuvium? But I suspect that at Rome you hear
something fresh every day. Matters are coming to a
crisis: for when Matius talks like that, what do
you think the rest will do? My vexation is
that—as never happened before in any
free state—the constitution has not been
recovered along with liberty. It makes one shudder
to hear their talk and their threats. Moreover, I
am afraid of a rising in Gaul also, as well as of
the line Sextus Pompeius may take. But come one,
come all, the Ides of March console me. Moreover,
our "heroes," as far as anything decisive could be
accomplished by their unaided efforts,
accomplished it in the most glorious and most
magnificent manner. The rest requires material
resources and troops, neither of which we possess.
So far I am giving you information: It is your
turn now to send me—promptly anything
fresh that occurs—for I expect something
every day—and if there is nothing fresh,
nevertheless let us keep up our habit of allowing
no break in our interchange of notes. I certainly
will allow none.
LANUVIUM (10 APRIL)