CCLXII (F II, 12)
TO M. CAELIUS RUFUS (CURULE
AEDILE)
CILICIA, JUNE
I am much worried by events in the city. Such
stormy meetings are reported to me, such a
disturbed Quinquatrian holiday: 1 for what has happened
since I have not yet heard. But after all nothing
worries me so much as the being debarred in the
midst of these troubles from having a laugh with
you at the comic points in them. These are, in
fact, numerous, but I dare not trust them to
paper. What annoys me is that I have not as yet
received a line from you on these subjects.
Wherefore, though by the time you read this letter
I shall have finished my year of office, pray,
nevertheless, send a letter to meet and enlighten
me on all public affairs, that I may not arrive
home an utter stranger. No one can do this better
than you. Your friend Diogenes, a steady good man,
has left me in company with Philo for Pessinus.
They are on their way to visit Adiatorix, 2 where they are fully prepared to find
neither kindness nor a full exchequer. The City, the City, my dear
Rufus—stick to that and live in its full
light! Residence elsewhere—as I made up
my mind in early life—is mere eclipse
and obscurity to those whose energy is capable of
shining at Rome. Knowing this thoroughly, would
that I had been true to my convictions! Before
heaven, I do not compare all the advantages of a
province put together with one stroll and one
conversation with you. I hope I have gained a
reputation for integrity. I had that, however,
quite as much from rejecting 3 as from administering a province. "But
what about the hope of a triumph?" say you. I had
already had a sufficiently glorious triumph: I
never ought to have been so long separated from
all that I love best. But I shall, I
hope, soon see you. Mind you send some letters to
meet me worthy of yourself.
CILICIA, JUNE
