Marcus Tullius Cicero→Titus Pomponius Atticus|c. -60 AD|Cicero|AI-assisted
How I wish you had stayed in Rome! You would certainly have stayed, if we had anticipated what was coming. For we could have easily kept our little darling in check, or at least known what he intended to do. As things stand now, he darts about, he rages; he has nothing settled, he threatens many people; whatever chance puts in his way, that he seems ready to seize. When he sees how hated the present state of affairs is, he seems about to launch an attack on those who brought it about; but when he recalls their resources and their armies, he turns on the loyalists, and threatens us with violence at one moment, prosecution at the next.
Pompey took the matter up with him and, as he himself reported to me — for I have no other witness — pressed him hard, saying that he would bear the ultimate stigma of treachery and villainy if any danger were created for me by the man whom he himself had armed by allowing his transfer to the plebs; that both he and Appius had given him their word concerning my safety; and that if Clodius failed to honor it, he would act in such a way that everyone would understand that nothing had ever mattered more to him than our friendship. After he had said this and much more to the same effect, Pompey reported that Clodius at first argued at great length against him, but in the end capitulated and gave his assurance that he would do nothing contrary to Pompey's wishes. Yet afterward he did not cease speaking most harshly about me. Even if he were not doing so, I would put no trust in him and would prepare for every eventuality, just as I am doing now.
At present I am conducting myself so that both the goodwill of men toward me and my resources grow with each passing day. I am touching public affairs in no respect, but devoting myself with the utmost energy to legal cases and my forensic work — a course which I perceive wins extraordinary favor not only with those who make use of my services but even with the public at large. My house is thronged with visitors; people come out to meet me; the memory of my consulship is renewed; expressions of support are made plain. I am brought to such a pitch of hope that the struggle looming over me sometimes seems one I need not shrink from.
Now I need your counsel, your affection, and your loyalty. So fly to me. Everything will be straightforward if I have you. Much can be accomplished through our friend Varro, and with you pressing the matter it will be on firmer ground; much can be drawn out of Publius himself; much can be discovered that could not possibly remain hidden from you; and much besides — but it is absurd to spell out each detail when I need you for everything. I would have you be convinced of this one thing: that everything will be resolved for me if I see you. But the whole matter depends on this: that it happen before he enters his magistracy. I believe that with Crassus pressing Pompey, and with you present — you who through the ox-eyed one can learn from Pompey himself how faithfully those men are acting — we shall come through either without trouble or at least without misjudgment. You need no entreaties or exhortation from me; you understand what my wishes demand, what the times demand, what the gravity of the situation demands.
Of public affairs I have nothing to write you except that there is the deepest loathing among all men toward those who hold everything in their grip. Yet there is no hope of change. But — as you can easily perceive — Pompey himself is thoroughly sick of it and bitterly regrets his course. I cannot foresee clearly what outcome to expect, but certainly these things seem destined to erupt somewhere.
I have returned to you the books of Alexander — a careless man and no good poet, but still not without his uses. I have gladly received Numerius Numestius into my friendship and found him a man of weight and good judgment, well worthy of your recommendation.
How I wish you were in town! You would certainly have stayed, if we had
thought this was going to happen. For then we could have easily kept
that little Beauty in order or at any rate should have known what he was
going to do. As it is he flits about in a frenzy and doesn’t know what
he is doing; he threatens lots of people, but will probably do whatever
turns up. When he sees the general abhorrence of the present state of
affairs he seems to meditate an attack on the authors of it; but when he
remembers the armed force behind them, he turns his wrath against the
loyalists. As for me, he threatens me now with brute force, and now with
a prosecution. Pompey spoke to him about it, and according to his own
account—for he is the only witness I have—he remonstrated strongly with
him, saying that he would become a byword for treachery and
underhandedness, if my life were threatened by one whose weapons he
himself had forged by acquiescing in his transference to the plebs: that
both he and Appius had pledged their word for me: and that, unless
Clodius respected their promise, he would be so annoyed that he would
make it plain to the world that he prized my friendship beyond
everything. He declared that after he had said this and much more to the
same effect, Clodius at first persisted in arguing the point at length,
but finally gave way and
manus dedisse et adfirmasse nihil se contra eius voluntatem esse
facturum. Sed postea tamen ille non destitit de nobis asperrime loqui.
Quodsi non faceret, tamen ei nihil crederemus atque omnia, sicut
facimus, pararemus.
Nunc ita nos gerimus, ut in dies singulos et studia in nos hominum et
opes nostrae augeantur; rem publicam nulla ex parte attingimus, in
causis atque in illa opera nostra forensi summa industria versamur; quod
egregie non modo iis, qui utuntur opera, sed etiam in vulgus gratum esse
sentimus. Domus celebratur, occurritur, renovatur memoria consulatus,
studia significantur; in eam spem adducimur, ut nobis ea contentio; quae
impendet, interdum non fugienda videatur.
Nunc mihi et consiliis opus est tuis et amore et fide. Quare advola.
Expedita mihi erunt omnia, si te habebo. Multa per Varronem nostrum agi
possunt, quae te urgente erunt firmiora, multa ab ipso Publio elici,
multa cognosci, quae tibi occulta esse non poterunt, multa etiam—sed
absurdum est singula explicare, cum ego requiram te ad omnia. Unum illud
tibi persuadeas velim, omnia mihi fore explicata, si te videro; sed
totum est in eo, si ante, quam ille ineat magistratum. Puto Pompeium
Crasso urgente, si tu aderis, qui per βοῶπιν ex ipso intellegere possis,
qua fide ab illis agatur; nos aut sine molestia aut certe
promised he would not do anything to offend him. Since then, however, he
has not ceased to speak very unpleasantly about me: but, even if he did
not, I should not believe him and should continue the preparations which
I am making.
At the present time I am managing things so that my popularity and the
strength of my position increases daily. Politics I am not touching at
all, but am busily engaged in the law courts and in my other forensic
work: and thereby I find I win extraordinary favour not only with those
who enjoy my services, but with the people in general too. My house is
thronged with folk; processions meet me; the days of my consulship are
recalled; friendships are not disguised: and my hopes are so raised that
I often think there is no reason for me to shrink from the struggle
which threatens.
What I want now is your advice and your affection and loyalty: so fly to
me. It will simplify everything, if I have you with me. Varro can render
me many services, but they would be far surer if you were here to
support them: a great deal of information can be extracted from Publius
himself, and a great deal found out, which could not possibly be kept
from your ears: besides a great deal more—but it is absurd to specify
details, when I want you for everything. The one point I want you to
grasp is that the mere sight of you would simplify everything for me;
but it all depends on your coming before he enters on his office. I
think that, though Crassus is egging on Pompey, if you were here and
could find out from the enemy through Juno how far the great men are to
be trusted, I should either escape molestation altogether or at any rate
I should no longer be
sine errore futuros. Precibus nostris et cohortatione non indiges; quid
mea voluntas, quid tempus, quid rei magnitudo postulet, intellegis.
De re publica nihil habeo ad te scribere nisi summum odium omnium
hominum in eos, qui tenent omnia. Mutationis tamen spes nulla. Sed, quod
facile sentias, taedet ipsum Pompeium vehementerque paenitet. Non
provideo satis, quem exitum futurum putem; sed certe videntur haec
aliquo eruptura.
Libros Alexandri, neglegentis hominis et non boni poetae, sed tamen non
inutilis, tibi remisi. Numerium Numestium libenter accepi in amicitiam
et hominem gravem et prudentem et dignum tua commendatione cognovi.
quam vellem Romae mansisses! <mansisses> profecto si haec fore putassemus. nam pulchellum nostrum facillime teneremus aut certe quid esset facturus scire possemus. nunc se res sic habet. volitat, furit; nihil habet certi, multis denuntiat; quod fors obtulerit id acturus videtur; cum videt quo sit in odio status hic rerum, in eos qui haec egerunt impetum facturus videtur; cum autem rursus opes eorum et exercitus recordatur, convertit se in bonos, nobis autem ipsis tum vim tum iudicium minatur. [2] Cum hoc Pompeius egit et, ut ad me ipse referebat (alium enim habeo neminem testem), vehementer egit, cum diceret in summa se perfidiae et sceleris infamia fore, si mihi periculum crearetur ab eo quem ipse armasset cum plebeium fieri passus esset; fidem recepisse sibi et ipsum et Appium de me; hanc si ille non servaret, ita laturum ut omnes intellegerent nihil sibi antiquius amicitia nostra fuisse. haec et in eam sententiam cum multa dixisset, aiebat illum primo sane diu multa contra, ad extremum autem manus dedisse et adfirmasse nihil se contra eius voluntatem esse facturum. sed postea tamen ille non destitit de nobis asperrime loqui. quod si non faceret tamen ei nihil crederemus atque omnia, sicut facimus, pararemus. [3] nunc ita nos gerimus ut in dies singulos et studia in nos hominum et opes nostrae augeantur; rem publicam nulla ex parte attingimus, in causis atque in illa opera nostra forensi summa industria versamur; quod egregie non modo iis qui utuntur opera, sed etiam in vulgus gratum esse sentimus. domus celebratur, occurritur, renovatur memoria consulatus, studia significantur; in eam spem adducimur ut nobis ea contentio quae impendet interdum non fugienda videatur. [4] nunc mihi et consiliis opus est tuis et amore et fide. qua re advola. expedita mihi erunt omnia si te habebo. multa per Varronem nostrum agi possunt quae te urgente erunt firmiora, multa ab ipso Publio elici, multa cognosci quae tibi occulta esse non poterunt, multa etiam—sed absurdum est singula explicare cum ego requiram te ad omnia. Vnum illud tibi persuadeas velim, omnia mihi fore explicata si te videro; sed totum est in eo si ante quam ille ineat magistratum. puto Pompeium Crasso urgente, si tu aderis qui per boopin ex ipso intellegere possis qua fide ab illis agatur, nos aut sine molestia aut certe sine errore futuros. precibus nostris et cohortatione non indiges; quid mea voluntas, quid tempus, quid rei magnitudo postulet intellegis. [6] de re publica nihil habeo ad te scribere nisi summum odium omnium hominum in eos qui tenent omnia. mutationis tamen spes nulla. sed, quod facile sentias, taedet ipsum Pompeium vehementerque paenitet. non provideo satis quem exitum futurum putem; sed certe videntur haec aliquo eruptura. [7] Libros Alexandri, neglegentis hominis et non boni poetae sed tamen non inutilis, tibi remisi. Numerium Numestium libenter accepi in amicitiam et hominem gravem et prudentem et dignum tua commendatione cognovi.
◆
How I wish you had stayed in Rome! You would certainly have stayed, if we had anticipated what was coming. For we could have easily kept our little darling in check, or at least known what he intended to do. As things stand now, he darts about, he rages; he has nothing settled, he threatens many people; whatever chance puts in his way, that he seems ready to seize. When he sees how hated the present state of affairs is, he seems about to launch an attack on those who brought it about; but when he recalls their resources and their armies, he turns on the loyalists, and threatens us with violence at one moment, prosecution at the next.
Pompey took the matter up with him and, as he himself reported to me — for I have no other witness — pressed him hard, saying that he would bear the ultimate stigma of treachery and villainy if any danger were created for me by the man whom he himself had armed by allowing his transfer to the plebs; that both he and Appius had given him their word concerning my safety; and that if Clodius failed to honor it, he would act in such a way that everyone would understand that nothing had ever mattered more to him than our friendship. After he had said this and much more to the same effect, Pompey reported that Clodius at first argued at great length against him, but in the end capitulated and gave his assurance that he would do nothing contrary to Pompey's wishes. Yet afterward he did not cease speaking most harshly about me. Even if he were not doing so, I would put no trust in him and would prepare for every eventuality, just as I am doing now.
At present I am conducting myself so that both the goodwill of men toward me and my resources grow with each passing day. I am touching public affairs in no respect, but devoting myself with the utmost energy to legal cases and my forensic work — a course which I perceive wins extraordinary favor not only with those who make use of my services but even with the public at large. My house is thronged with visitors; people come out to meet me; the memory of my consulship is renewed; expressions of support are made plain. I am brought to such a pitch of hope that the struggle looming over me sometimes seems one I need not shrink from.
Now I need your counsel, your affection, and your loyalty. So fly to me. Everything will be straightforward if I have you. Much can be accomplished through our friend Varro, and with you pressing the matter it will be on firmer ground; much can be drawn out of Publius himself; much can be discovered that could not possibly remain hidden from you; and much besides — but it is absurd to spell out each detail when I need you for everything. I would have you be convinced of this one thing: that everything will be resolved for me if I see you. But the whole matter depends on this: that it happen before he enters his magistracy. I believe that with Crassus pressing Pompey, and with you present — you who through the ox-eyed one can learn from Pompey himself how faithfully those men are acting — we shall come through either without trouble or at least without misjudgment. You need no entreaties or exhortation from me; you understand what my wishes demand, what the times demand, what the gravity of the situation demands.
Of public affairs I have nothing to write you except that there is the deepest loathing among all men toward those who hold everything in their grip. Yet there is no hope of change. But — as you can easily perceive — Pompey himself is thoroughly sick of it and bitterly regrets his course. I cannot foresee clearly what outcome to expect, but certainly these things seem destined to erupt somewhere.
I have returned to you the books of Alexander — a careless man and no good poet, but still not without his uses. I have gladly received Numerius Numestius into my friendship and found him a man of weight and good judgment, well worthy of your recommendation.
AI-assisted translation — This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.
Latin / Greek Original
quam vellem Romae mansisses! <mansisses> profecto si haec fore putassemus. nam pulchellum nostrum facillime teneremus aut certe quid esset facturus scire possemus. nunc se res sic habet. volitat, furit; nihil habet certi, multis denuntiat; quod fors obtulerit id acturus videtur; cum videt quo sit in odio status hic rerum, in eos qui haec egerunt impetum facturus videtur; cum autem rursus opes eorum et exercitus recordatur, convertit se in bonos, nobis autem ipsis tum vim tum iudicium minatur. [2] Cum hoc Pompeius egit et, ut ad me ipse referebat (alium enim habeo neminem testem), vehementer egit, cum diceret in summa se perfidiae et sceleris infamia fore, si mihi periculum crearetur ab eo quem ipse armasset cum plebeium fieri passus esset; fidem recepisse sibi et ipsum et Appium de me; hanc si ille non servaret, ita laturum ut omnes intellegerent nihil sibi antiquius amicitia nostra fuisse. haec et in eam sententiam cum multa dixisset, aiebat illum primo sane diu multa contra, ad extremum autem manus dedisse et adfirmasse nihil se contra eius voluntatem esse facturum. sed postea tamen ille non destitit de nobis asperrime loqui. quod si non faceret tamen ei nihil crederemus atque omnia, sicut facimus, pararemus. [3] nunc ita nos gerimus ut in dies singulos et studia in nos hominum et opes nostrae augeantur; rem publicam nulla ex parte attingimus, in causis atque in illa opera nostra forensi summa industria versamur; quod egregie non modo iis qui utuntur opera, sed etiam in vulgus gratum esse sentimus. domus celebratur, occurritur, renovatur memoria consulatus, studia significantur; in eam spem adducimur ut nobis ea contentio quae impendet interdum non fugienda videatur. [4] nunc mihi et consiliis opus est tuis et amore et fide. qua re advola. expedita mihi erunt omnia si te habebo. multa per Varronem nostrum agi possunt quae te urgente erunt firmiora, multa ab ipso Publio elici, multa cognosci quae tibi occulta esse non poterunt, multa etiam—sed absurdum est singula explicare cum ego requiram te ad omnia. Vnum illud tibi persuadeas velim, omnia mihi fore explicata si te videro; sed totum est in eo si ante quam ille ineat magistratum. puto Pompeium Crasso urgente, si tu aderis qui per boopin ex ipso intellegere possis qua fide ab illis agatur, nos aut sine molestia aut certe sine errore futuros. precibus nostris et cohortatione non indiges; quid mea voluntas, quid tempus, quid rei magnitudo postulet intellegis. [6] de re publica nihil habeo ad te scribere nisi summum odium omnium hominum in eos qui tenent omnia. mutationis tamen spes nulla. sed, quod facile sentias, taedet ipsum Pompeium vehementerque paenitet. non provideo satis quem exitum futurum putem; sed certe videntur haec aliquo eruptura. [7] Libros Alexandri, neglegentis hominis et non boni poetae sed tamen non inutilis, tibi remisi. Numerium Numestium libenter accepi in amicitiam et hominem gravem et prudentem et dignum tua commendatione cognovi.