CCCLXXIII (A IX, 16)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
FORMIAE, 26 MARCH
Though I have nothing to write to you about,
yet I send you this that I may not omit a single
day. On the 27th it is announced that Caesar will
stop at Sinuessa. I received a letter from him on
the 26th, in which he now talks of looking forward
to my "resources," not my "aid," 1 as
in his former letter. I had written to compliment
him on the moderation of his conduct at Corfinium,
and he answered me as follows: “
FORMIAE, 26 MARCH
CAESAR IMPERATOR TO CICERO
IMPERATOR.
You judge me quite accurately—for my
character is well known to you—when you
say that nothing is more remote from my
disposition than cruelty. For myself, as I take
great delight in this policy for its own sake, so
your approval of my action gives me a triumphant
feeling of gladness. Nor am I shaken
by the fact that those, who were allowed to go
free by me, are said to have departed with the
intention of renewing the war against me: for
there is nothing I like better than that I should
be what I am, they what they are. I should be much
obliged if you would meet me at the city, that I
may, as ever, avail myself in all matters of your
counsels and resources. Let me assure you that
nothing gives me more pleasure than the presence
of your son-in-law Dolabella. This additional
favour I shall owe to him 2 :
for it will be impossible for him to act
otherwise, considering his great kindness, his
feeling, and his cordial goodwill towards
myself.
”
