Letter 382

Our friend Brutus and Cassius had written to me to use my authority to improve Hirtius' patriotism, since he had at present shown some (I knew he had, but I doubted if he would continue, for, although he is a little annoyed with Antony, he is very much devoted to the cause); in spite of my doubts I wrote to him and commended to his care the maintenance of Brutus' and Cassius' position. What his answer was I want you to know, to see whether you think the same as I do, that the Caesarians are even now afraid our friends have more courage than they really have. "HIRTIUS TO HIS FRIEND CICERO, GREETING. "You ask if I have returned from the country. Can I play the laggard, when all the world is so excited? In fact I have just left the city, for I thought my absence would be more useful than my presence. This letter I have written as I set out for Tusculum. Don't think I shall do anything so energetic as to hurry back for the 5th. I see no need for my protecting anyone, since proper precautions praesidia sunt in tot annos provisa. Brutus et Cassius utinam, quam facile a te de me impetrare possunt, ita per te exorentur, ne quod calidius ineant consilium! Cedentes enim haec ais scripsisse—quo aut quare? Retine, obsecro te, Cicero, illos, et noli sinere haec omnia perire, quae funditus medius fidius rapinis, incendiis, caedibus pervertuntur. Tantum, si quid timent, caveant, nihil praeterea moliantur. Non medius fidius acerrimis consiliis plus quam etiam inertissimis, dum modo diligentibus, consequentur. Haec enim, quae fluunt, per se diuturna non sunt; in contentione praesentes ad nocendum habent vires. Quid speres de illis, in Tusculanum ad me scribe." Habes Hirti epistulam. Cui rescripsi nil illos calidius cogitare idque confirmavi. Hoc, qualecumque esset, te scire volui. Obsignata iam Balbus ad me Serviliam redisse, confirmare non discessuros. Nunc exspecto a te litteras.

quam vellem Bruto studium tuum navare potuisses! ego igitur ad eum litteras. ad Dolabellam Tironem misi cum mandatis et litteris. eum ad te vocabis et si quid habebis quod placeat scribes. ecce autem de traverso L. Caesar ut veniam ad se rogat in nemus aut scribam quo se venire velim; Bruto enim placere se a me conveniri. O rem odiosam et inexplicabilem! puto me ergo iturum et inde Romam, nisi quid mutaro. summatim adhuc ad te; nihildum enim a Balbo. tuas igitur exspecto nec actorum solum sed etiam futurorum.