DCCCLXXIII (F XI, 20)
DECIMUS BRUTUS TO CICERO (AT
ROME)
EPOREDIA, 24 MAV
WHAT I don't do for myself my love for you and
your kindnesses to me force me to do—to
fear. For though I have often heard the story
before, and never thought lightly of it, quite
recently Segulius Labeo—and it was
exactly like him-tells me that he has been in
Caesar's company, and that there was a great deal
of talk about you. That Caesar himself had no
complaint to make against you, except as to an
epigram which he said that you uttered: "that the
young man must be complimented, honoured,
and—got rid of." 1 He said that he did not mean to give them
the chance of getting rid of him. I believe for my
part that Labeo told him this epigram or made it
up himself, and that it was not mentioned first by
the young man. As for the veterans, Labeo would
have me believe that their language is abominable,
that you are in imminent danger from them, and
that they are exceedingly indignant at neither
Caesar nor myself being among the ten
commissioners, 2 and at everything being put in
the hands of your party. Having heard these
stories, and being already on the march, I did not
think that I ought to allow myself to cross the
Alps until I knew what was going on with you in
Rome. For as to your danger, believe me they hope
by swaggering language and threats of danger to
make great profit for themselves,
when they have cowed you and egged on the young
man, and that all that talk about your epigram has
one origin-their desire to do as good a stroke of
business as possible. Not, however, that I
wouldn't have you be cautious and avoid traps: for
nothing can be dearer and more precious to me than
your life. Take care that you are not forced to be
still more afraid by being timid, and that you
meet the wishes of the veterans by whatever means
that can be done. First, do what they want about
the commission of ten. Next, as to rewards, vote,
if you think good, that the lands of those veteran
soldiers who have served with Antony be
transferred to them by both Caesar and myself. As
for the coinage, tell them that the senate with
deliberation, and after a full investigation of
the money, will authoritatively settle that
business. For the four legions 3 to whom you
in the senate have voted that lands should be
given, I see there will be enough land to draw
upon from the confiscations of Sulla and the
territory of Capua. I think these lands should be
given to the legions share and share alike, or by
drawing lots. It is no particular wisdom of mine
that makes me write this to you, but my love for
you and my yearning for peace, which cannot be
firmly secured without you. Unless it is
absolutely necessary I shall not quit Italy. I am
arming and preparing my legions. I hope that I
shall have an army that will not be very unfit to
grapple with all chances of fortune and all
attacks of men. From the army commanded by Pansa
Caesar does not intend to allow a legion to join
me. Please answer this letter at once, or if the
matter is very confidential, and one which you
think I ought to know, send one of your men.
24 May, Eporedia.
EPOREDIA, 24 MAV
