DCCLII (A XV, 22)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
TUSCULUM (23 JUNE)
I congratulate ourselves that young Quintus
has gone out of town: he won't be a nuisance to
us. I believe Pansa is using satisfactory
language. For I know that he has always been
closely united with Hirtius. I think he will be a
very warm friend to Brutus and Cassius
if—it turns out to be expedient. But
when will he ever see them ? 1
And that he will be opposed to
Antony—but when and on what grounds? How
long are we to be fooled? However, I wrote you
word that Sextus Pompeius was coming, not because
he was actually near, but because he was certainly
contemplating that move and because he was not
shewing any signs of abandoning arms. Doubtless,
if he goes on, war is a certainty. On this side
too our dear lover of Cytheris 2 thinks no one sure of
his life unless he gains a victory. What has Pansa
to say to this? Which side will he take if there
is war, as I think there will be? But of this and
other things when we meet, that is,
today—as you say in your
letter—or tomorrow.
TUSCULUM (23 JUNE)