CCLIV (F II, II)
TO M. CAELIUS RUFUS (CURULE
AEDILE)
LAODICEA, 4 APRIL
WOULD you have supposed that words could
possibly fail me, and not only oratorical words,
such as you advocates use, but even this common
vernacular which I employ? Still, fail me they do,
and for this reason—I am surprisingly
anxious as to what decree may pass about the
provinces. An astonishing yearning for the city
possesses me, an incredible longing for my friends
and for you among the first, and at the same time
a weariness of a province, either because I seem
to have gained so much reputation, that an
accession to it is now not so much to be sought,
as some change of fortune to be feared; or because
the whole business is one unworthy of my powers,
able and accustomed as I am to sustain more
important burdens in the public service; or,
again, because an alarm of a serious war is
hanging over us, which I seem likely to avoid by
quitting my province on the day appointed. The
panthers are being energetically attended to by
the ordinary hunters in accordance with my orders:
but there is a great scarcity of them, and such as
there are, I am told, complain loudly that they
are the only things for which traps are set in all
my province, and they are said in consequence to
have resolved to quit our province for Caria.
However, the business is being pushed on
zealously, and especially by Patiscus. All that
turn up shall be at your service, but how many
that is I don't in the least know. I assure you I
am much interested in your aedileship: the day
itself reminds me of it; for I am writing on the
very day of the Megalensia. 1
Please write the fullest particulars as to the
state of politics in general: for I shall look on
information from you as the most trustworthy I
get.
LAODICEA, 4 APRIL
