Letter 385

On the evening of the 2nd I received a letter from Balbus telling me there would be a meeting of the Senate on the 5th to send Brutus to Asia, and Cassius to Sicily, to buy corn and send it to Rome. What a shame! First that they should take any office from that party, and secondly, if any, that it should be this subordinate position. Still, I don't know whether it is not better than for him to sit on the banks of his Eurotas. But fate must have its way in this. He says that at the same time a decree will be passed assigning provinces to them and other ex-praetors. This is certainly better than his Persian porch. For I don't want you to think I am referring to a Sparta farther off than Lanuvium. "You can jest," you will say, "in such important matters?" What am I to do? I am tired of mourning. Good God! how the first page of your note held me transfixed with horror! How did that violent brawl happen in your house? But I am glad this cloud passed away quickly. I am very eager to know how you have fared with your sad and very difficult conciliatory mission; for the knot cannot be unravelled. We are so surrounded by force of every kind. Brutus' letter, which you show that you have read, has so disturbed me, that, undecided as I was before, my sorrow makes me still slower at making up my mind. But I will write more when I have news from you. At present I have nothing to write, quod scriberem, nihil erat eoque minus, quod dubitabam, tu has ipsas litteras essesne accepturus. Erat enim incertum, visurusne te esset tabellarius. Ego tuas litteras vehementer exspecto.

gratum quod mihi epistulas; quae quidem me delectarunt, in primis Sexti nostri. dices, 'quia te laudat.' puto me hercule id quoque esse causae, sed tamen etiam ante quam ad eum locum veni, valde mihi placebat cum sensus eius de re publica cum tum scribendi. Servius vero pacificator cum librariolo suo videtur obisse legationem et omnis captiunculas pertimescere. debuerat autem non 'ex iure manum consertum' sed quae sequuntur; tuque scribes.