DCCCLXXVII (F X, 16)
TO L. MUNATIUS PLANCUS (AT
CULARO)
ROME (27 MAY)
Never within living memory have I seen
anything happen, Plancus, more glorious, more
welcome, or more exactly in the nick of time, than
your despatch. For it was delivered to Cornutus
1 in a full meeting of the senate just after
he had read aloud the cold and shuffling despatch
of Lepidus. Immediately after it yours was read
and was received with loud cheers. For it was not
only most welcome for the actual news it contained
and the zeal and good services to the state which
it implied, but its language and sentiments were
also most impressive. Cries were raised that
Cornutus should at once bring forward a motion
arising from your despatch. He said that he wished
time for consideration. When this had brought down
on him a severe remonstrance from the whole
senate, five of the tribunes brought forward a
motion. Servilius 2 being called upon voted
for postponing the business. I then delivered an
opinion with which they all agreed to a man. What
it was you will learn from the decree itself. As
for you, though you are in no want of prudence, or
rather have enough and to spare, you ought yet to
resolve to refer nothing here, nor in the midst of
such sudden and pressing emergencies to think
yourself bound to ask advice from the senate. Be
your own senate, and follow wherever the interest
of the public service shall lead you. Let it be
your object that we hear of some brilliant
operation by you before we thought that it was
going to happen. I pledge my word to you that
whatever you achieve the senate will accept as
having been done not merely with loyal intention,
but also with wisdom.
ROME (27 MAY)
