DCCVI (A XIV, 7)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
FORMIAE, 15 APRIL
On the 14th I saw Paullus at Caieta. He told
me some really odious stories about Marius, 1 and the state of
the Republic. From you of course I have nothing,
for none of my letter-carriers have arrived. But I
hear that our friend Brutus has been seen near
Lanuvium. Where in the world is he going to be?
For I want to know all about this, as well as
everything else. I write this at the moment of
leaving my Formian villa on the 15th, intending to
be at Puteoli the next day. I have had a very well written and pretty long
letter from my son. Other things may be put on,
but the classic style of his letter shews that he
is improving in scholarship. Now I beg you
earnestly—a point on which I recently
spoke to you—to see that he is not in
want of anything. That is a duty on my part, and
also concerns my reputation and position: which I
perceive is your opinion also. Of course if I go
to Greece in July, as is my present intention,
everything will be easier; but as the present
state of affairs makes it impossible to be sure of
what is consistent with my honour, or within my
power, or to my interest to do, pray make it your
business to see that we give him an allowance on
the most honourable and liberal scale. Pray, as
usual, think over these or other matters of
importance to me, and write and tell me anything
that concerns me, or, if there is nothing, then
anything that comes into your head.
FORMIAE, 15 APRIL
