CMIII (BRUT. I, 13)
M. IUNIUS BRUTUS TO CICERO (AT
ROME)
MACEDONIA, I JULY
The fear which others entertain makes me
nervous about M. Lepidus. If he has wrenched
himself from us—which I hope it will
turn out that people have suspected about him
hurriedly and without good grounds—I beg
and beseech you, Cicero, appealing to our close
friendship and your kindness to me, to forget that
my sister's children are the sons of Lepidus, and
to consider that I have succeeded to the place of
their father. If I can induce you to do that,
there is certainly nothing that you will hesitate
to undertake for them. Some people live on one
sort of terms with their relations, others on
another, but I cannot do enough for my sister's
children to satisfy my affection or duty. What
consideration is there, moreover, which either the
loyalists can shew me—if I am but worthy
of some consideration from them—or what
can I promise my mother and sister and these
children, if Brutus being their uncle has no
weight with you and the senate against the fact of
Lepidus being their father? I am neither able for
anxiety and vexation to write at great length to
you, nor ought I to do so. For in a matter of so
much importance and so vitally affecting me, if I
need words in order to move your interest and
confirm your resolution, there is no hope that you
will do what I wish or what you are
in duty bound to do. Therefore don't expect a
lengthy petition from me. Only fix your eyes on
me, who have a good right to obtain this service
from you, either on private grounds from Cicero
the man—and the closest of my
friends—or from the consular, all
private ties put aside. What you mean to do please
write and tell me as soon as possible. 1 July, in camp.
MACEDONIA, I JULY
