DCCCXLI (BRUT. I, 3, §§ 1-3)
TO M. IUNIUS BRUTUS (AT
DYRRACHIUM)
ROME, 21 APRIL
OUR cause seems in a better position: for I
feel sure that you have had letters telling you
what has happened. 1 The
consuls have shewn themselves to be the sort of
men I have often described them in my letters. In
the youthful Caesar indeed there is a surprising
natural strain of virtue. Pray heaven we may
govern him in the flush of honours and popularity
as easily as we have held him up to this time I
That is certainly a more difficult thing, but
nevertheless I have no mistrust. For the young man
has been convinced, and chiefly by my arguments,
that our safety is his work, and that at least, if
he had not diverted Antony from the city, all
would have been lost. 2 Three or four days indeed before this
glorious news, the city, struck by a sudden panic,
3 was for
pouring out with wives and children to seek you.
The same city on the 20th of April, with its fears
all dispelled, would rather that you came here
than go to you. On that day in very truth I reaped
the most abundant harvest of my
great labours and my many sleepless
nights—that is, at least, if there is a
harvest in genuine and well-grounded glory. For I
was surrounded by a concourse of people as great
as our city can contain, by whom I was escorted to
the Capitol and placed upon the rostra 4 amidst the loudest
cheers and applause. I have no vanity in
me—and indeed I ought to have none: yet
after all a unanimous feeling of all orders,
thanks, and congratulations do move my heart,
because it is a thing to be proud of that in the
hour of the people's preservation I should be the
people's hero. But these things I would rather you
heard from others. Pray inform me of your own
doings and plans with the greatest exactness; and
do be careful that your generosity does not bear
the appearance of weakness. 5 This is the sentiment of the
senate, and of the people, that no enemies ever
more richly deserved condign punishment than those
citizens who have taken up arms against their
country in this war. Indeed in every speech I make
in the senate I call for vengeance upon them and
attack them amidst the applause of all loyal
citizens. What your view of this is I must leave
you to judge for yourself: my opinion is that all
three brothers stand on one and the same ground.
ROME, 21 APRIL