DCXCVII (F VI, 1)
DECIMUS BRUTUS TO M. BRUTUS AND C. CASSIUS
(ON THE CAPITOL)
ROME, 17 MARCH
I write to let you know our position.
Yesterday evening Hirtius called on me, and told
me about the disposition of Antony. It is of
course as bad and untrustworthy as
possible. For he said that he could not give me my
province, and did not think that it was safe for
any of us to remain in Rome, considering the
extreme irritation of the soldiery and the common
people. I think you are aware that both these
allegations are false, and that the truth is what
Hirtius affirmed, namely, that Antony is afraid
that, if we got even a moderate assistance in
support of our position, there would be no part
left for them to play in the state. Being in these
straits I determined to demand a free legation
1 for myself and the rest of
us, in order to obtain a decent excuse for leaving
the City. He promised that he would procure it,
but I don't feel sure that he will do so; for
people are so unreasonable and the set against us
is so strong. Even if they granted our request, I
yet think that before long we should be declared
public enemies and forbidden water and fire.
"What, then," you say, "is
your advice?" We must yield to fortune: we must
quit Italy I think, and retire to Rhodes 2 or some place or other
in the world. If any improvement occurs we will
return to Rome. If things go only fairly well we
will live in exile; if the worst comes to the
worst, we will have recourse to extreme measures
in our support. 3
Perhaps it will here occur to one of
you—why should we wait for the worst,
rather than make some attempt at once? Because we
have no one to depend upon for safety except
Sextus Pompeius and Caecilius Bassus, 4
who I think are likely to be still more determined
when they hear the news about Caesar. It will be
soon enough for us to join them when we know their
strength. If you wish me to give any undertaking
for Cassius and yourself, I will give it: for
Hirtius demands that I should do so. I beg you to
answer this letter as promptly as
possible—for I have no doubt that
Hirtius will inform me on these points 5 before ten o'clock
—and tell me where we can meet and to
what place you wish me to come. After my last Conversation with
Hirtius I decided to ask that we should be allowed
to remain at Rome under the protection of a state
guard. I don't think they will concede that; for
we shall be casting a grave slur upon them.
However, I thought I must not omit to make any
demand which I considered equitable.
ROME, 17 MARCH
